Key Takeaways
- Victorian deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth has announced his resignation from parliament at the November state election
- Groth cites infighting within his party and a defamation battle with News Corp as reasons for his decision
- The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, has described Groth’s decision as "disappointing" and refused to comment on claims of infighting within the party
- Groth had been a major driver of party donations and had spoken about his aspirations to one day become premier
- The deputy premier, Ben Carroll, has said that Groth’s statement is proof that the Liberal party is "more divided than they’ve ever been"
Introduction to Sam Groth’s Resignation
The Victorian deputy Liberal leader, Sam Groth, has announced that he will resign from parliament at the November state election. This decision comes after a period of personal reflection and conversations with his wife, Brittany, over the summer break. Groth cited infighting within his party and a defamation battle with News Corp as reasons for his decision. The former professional tennis player issued a statement on Monday morning announcing his decision not to recontest the election, stating that the public pressure placed on his family in recent months had been significant and that some of it came from within his own party.
The Reasons Behind Groth’s Resignation
Groth’s decision to resign from parliament is a significant blow to the Liberal party, which is already facing an uphill battle in the upcoming state election. In his statement, Groth said that he had entered public life to serve his community and to stand up for what he believed was in the best interests of Victorians. However, he found that the infighting within his party made it impossible for him to put those interests first. Groth also mentioned that the defamation battle with News Corp had been an extremely challenging period for his family. The couple had taken on the role for the right reasons, to contribute to their community and try to make a positive difference, but the environment around it had changed.
Reaction from the Opposition Leader
The opposition leader, Jess Wilson, described Groth’s decision as "disappointing" and refused to comment on his claims of infighting within the party. Wilson said that politics was a tough game and that it could be very tough on families. She also stated that she was focused on Victorian people every single day and that she would respect Groth’s request for time and space with his family. Wilson’s response suggests that the Liberal party is trying to move on from the issue and focus on the upcoming election.
The Defamation Battle with News Corp
The defamation battle with News Corp was a significant factor in Groth’s decision to resign. The Herald Sun had apologised to the Groths for a series of articles published in July and August that the couple’s lawyers said wrongly suggested their relationship had begun when Brittany was underage. The apology was part of a settlement that included a retraction of the offending articles and a six-figure settlement sum. Groth had been suing the publisher, the Herald and Weekly Times, along with the publication’s editor and a reporter, for defamation, while his wife had launched the first test of a new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy.
The Impact on the Liberal Party
Groth’s resignation is a significant blow to the Liberal party, which is already facing an uphill battle in the upcoming state election. The deputy premier, Ben Carroll, said that Groth’s statement was proof that the Liberal party was "more divided than they’ve ever been". Carroll stated that Groth had come into the party for the right reasons but had found that it was about fighting amongst themselves and fighting to get ahead. The Liberal party will need to regroup and refocus ahead of the election, and Groth’s resignation will likely be seen as a significant setback.
Groth’s Legacy and Future Plans
Groth holds the record for the world’s fastest tennis serve and had spoken about his aspirations to one day become premier. He won the ultra-marginal seat of Nepean from Labor at the 2022 election with a 7.15% swing to the Liberals, securing a commanding 48.1% of first-preference votes. Groth was seen as a major driver of party donations and had been a key figure in the Liberal party. His resignation will likely be seen as a significant loss for the party, and it remains to be seen what his future plans will be. In his statement, Groth said that he would take time with his family to consider what comes next and the opportunities ahead.