Sam Groth denies claim he misused taxpayer-funded vehicle during AO

Deputy Victorian Liberal Party Leader Sam Groth has responded to calls to measurement down aft a study he allegedly misused a taxpayer-funded conveyance to recreation from nan 2024 Australian Open to his Mornington Peninsula home.

Groth issued a connection this greeting responding to an article that claims he utilized Liberal MP Georgie Crozier's chauffeur-driven conveyance to carrier himself and his woman from their location successful Rye to nan tennis tourney successful Melbourne's centre successful January 2024.

In nan statement, nan erstwhile tennis pro said he thought it was "important to explain a fewer things", denying he utilized nan conveyance inappropriately and claiming he attended nan 2024 Australian Open "in some an charismatic capacity and a individual one".

"The nationalist rightly person an anticipation that politicians behave appropriately astatine each times. I stock that belief," he said,

"In my domiciled arsenic a Shadow Minister, I person attended galore sporting events successful nan past fewer years."

"I was astatine nan arena to meet various stakeholders and be meetings earlier being portion of a fundraising initiative."

Groth denied allegations he was intoxicated astatine nan tennis event.

"Everything was and is supra board. It has each been officially disclosed. There is thing to hide," he said.

"This occupation is clip consuming and keeps maine distant from my woman and copy boys.

"When I get a chance for my woman and family to subordinate me, I jump astatine nan chance and salary for it myself.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin coming said he planned to person an soul chat pinch Groth regarding nan claims, but does not judge he should resign.

"I expect each members of parliament to travel nan rules and behave appropriately, whether it's astatine activity aliases not astatine work, it's a elemental anticipation I have," Battin said.

"Sam Groth has been working very difficult successful his domiciled and we each cognize that. We've seen him retired and astir whether it's successful parliament aliases going retired to events ensuring he's engaging pinch his community.

"I'm assured that Sam's followed nan rules and I've seen his declarations erstwhile he comes into towns that were precocious reported for nan events that he stays at."

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