Victorian Liberal MP Sam Groth has announced his resignation as the party's Deputy Leader and his intention to retire from politics, opting not to contest the upcoming state election in November. Mr. Groth cited public pressure on his family, internal party divisions, and a recent defamation lawsuit settlement as factors influencing his decision. Following his announcement, David Southwick was elected as the new Deputy Liberal Leader. Mr. Groth's full parliamentary resignation is scheduled, which will necessitate a by-election in the seat of Nepean.
Resignation from Deputy Leadership and Parliament
Sam Groth initially announced on a Monday his decision not to seek re-election in the upcoming November state election, marking his retirement from politics after serving one term as the Member for Nepean. He confirmed he would relinquish his role as Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party at the first party room meeting of the year, held in February.
This decision was formally confirmed by Opposition Leader Jess Wilson on the following Tuesday. Mr. Groth's full resignation from parliament is scheduled for the week following the announcement of his parliamentary departure, necessitating a by-election for the seat of Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula.
Stated Reasons for Departure
In a statement, Mr. Groth attributed his decision to significant public pressure on his family and "challenges within the Liberal Party," noting that some of this pressure originated from within his own party.
He stated that internal party conflicts made it challenging to prioritize the interests of his constituents.
Later, upon his full parliamentary departure, he issued a separate statement attributing his resignation to a desire to pursue "other opportunities."
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson acknowledged Mr. Groth's decision following a meeting, describing it as "disappointing" and commenting on the demanding nature of politics for individuals and their families. Ms. Wilson declined to address Mr. Groth's claims of party infighting, categorizing them as "historical matters" that predated her leadership. Acting Premier Ben Carroll commented that Mr. Groth's announcement reflected internal divisions within the Liberal party.
Defamation Lawsuit and Settlement
Mr. Groth's decision not to contest his seat followed a defamation lawsuit he initiated against the Herald Sun. The lawsuit concerned a series of articles published in July and August 2023 that, according to lawyers for the Groths, incorrectly suggested the beginning of his relationship with his wife, Brittany, occurred when she was underage.
The matter was resolved with an out-of-court settlement in November 2023, which included the Herald Sun issuing an apology to Mr. Groth and his wife, the retraction of the articles, and an undisclosed financial payment. Concurrently, Ms. Groth initiated legal action under a statutory tort addressing serious invasions of privacy.
Mr. Groth described this period as "extremely challenging for my family" and had alleged that some of his colleagues were the source of the news story concerning his relationship.
Leadership Transition and Portfolio Changes
Following Mr. Groth's announcement, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson confirmed that a vote for a new Deputy Leader would take place. On a Wednesday morning in February, David Southwick, the Member for Caulfield and opposition planning spokesman, was elected as the new Deputy Victorian Liberal Leader during a party conference of Liberal MPs in San Remo. Mr. Southwick secured the position with a vote of 23-6 against fellow contender Chris Crewther, with two informal votes.
Mr. Southwick previously served as Deputy Leader under former leaders John Pesutto and Matthew Guy. His conduct was scrutinized in 2023 after he secretly recorded a meeting concerning the potential expulsion of Liberal MP Moira Deeming, a recording later used in Ms. Deeming's defamation lawsuit against Mr. Pesutto.
Upon his election, Mr. Southwick expressed gratitude to his colleagues and stated his pleasure in returning to the role to support Ms. Wilson. Ms. Wilson welcomed Mr. Southwick, highlighting his focus on party priorities, energy, enthusiasm, and experience for the election year, and stated the party room meeting was without tension. Chris Crewther congratulated Mr. Southwick and emphasized the importance of team effort for the upcoming election.
Mr. Groth's shadow portfolios were reallocated among existing members of the shadow cabinet:
- David Southwick was assigned responsibility for tourism and major events.
- Brad Battin was allocated the sport portfolio.
- Bridget Vallence assumed the trade and investment portfolio.
This reallocation reduced the shadow cabinet by one member, mirroring a similar reduction in Premier Jacinta Allan's cabinet.
Political and Professional Background
Sam Groth was elected to state parliament as the Member for Nepean in the 2022 election, securing a 7.15% swing to the Liberals and 48.1% of first-preference votes. He was elevated to Deputy Liberal Leader in December 2024 during Brad Battin's challenge against John Pesutto and retained this position after Jess Wilson assumed party leadership in November 2024. He has been identified as a significant contributor to party donations and had previously expressed aspirations for the premiership.
Prior to his political career, Mr. Groth had a professional tennis career spanning from 2006. He represented Australia in various international tournaments, including the Olympics, and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 53 in 2015 and a doubles ranking of World No. 24. He holds the world record for the fastest serve, recorded at 263 km/h in 2012. He retired from professional tennis after the 2018 Australian Open.
Mr. Groth also faced scrutiny in May 2023 regarding his use of a taxpayer-funded vehicle for transport from the Australian Open in January 2023.
In his final statement regarding his parliamentary service, Mr. Groth expressed his honor in serving the people of Nepean and thanked them for their trust. He also extended gratitude to his staff, his family (specifically his wife Brittany and their twin sons), and conveyed his best wishes to Ms. Wilson and the Liberal team for the upcoming election.