Victorian ICT minister steps down

Victorian ICT Minister Theo Theophanous has temporarily stepped down from his position in response to a formal complaint lodged with the Victorian police against him.

Theo Theophanous
(Credit: Parliament of Victoria)

Prompted by rumours, Theophanous said he had called the police to ask if a complaint had been lodged against him and whether they were inquiring into it.

The police answered in the positive according to Theophanous, so he spoke to the Victorian Premier John Brumby and informed him he would be temporarily standing aside until the issue was resolved.

"I feel strongly that if a minister is the subject of a formal complaint which is being investigated by the police, he or she should stand down until the matter is cleared up," he said in a statement, despite being certain he had "no case to answer".

He said he had not been advised by the police as to the nature of the complaint, but had been told that the Victoria Police may wish to interview him soon.

Brumby issued a statement accepting Theophanous' course of action and naming acting ministers to fill Theophanous' roles. His role as Minister for Industry and Trade will be carried out by Treasurer, John Lenders; his role as the Minister for Major Projects by the Minister for Roads and Ports, Tim Pallas; and his role as the Minister for Information Technology by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Innovation, Gavin Jennings.