“The allegations were put to me in the context of my responsibilities in upholding the ministerial code of conduct, as it applies to ministers and parliamentary secretaries. And yes, that code of conduct does require higher standards for ministers and parliamentary secretaries to uphold, and it is my role to enforce that code of conduct, and it was in that context the allegations were put, those allegations were looked at.
“Those allegations did not meet the very high standards, the highest standards that are set under the code.”
The code requires ministers and parliamentary secretaries to take all reasonable steps to maintain respectful and appropriate working relationships with all staff.
Five Labor sources — speaking anonymously to discuss internal matters — said Cheeseman’s alleged behaviour related to persistent sexual comments towards one staffer. Cheeseman was not alleged to have engaged in any physical contact.
He was contacted on Sunday.
The premier’s office received the complaint, made inquiries and supported the complainant in the days before informing Allan about what she called an alleged “pattern of persistent inappropriate behaviour”.
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“It was at that point that I determined that the information that was before me did not meet the standard, not only that I expect personally, but the standard that I uphold with the responsibility to enforce the ministerial code of conduct for ministers and parliamentary secretaries,” Allan said.
The premier said she would not go into detail about the complaints to respect the privacy of his staff, repeating they deserved a safe workplace.
Allan would not say whether Cheeseman had made any admission or apology, and would not be drawn on whether he could ever be promoted again.
Six sources said they saw no appetite to boot Cheeseman from Labor’s parliamentary team, with one saying it was unlikely anyone would seek his removal because it would be a challenge to Allan’s authority.
Cheeseman was parliamentary secretary for the Commonwealth Games before the 2026 regional event’s cancellation. In October, he was transferred to the education portfolio.
Parliamentary secretaries are MPs who assist cabinet ministers with their portfolio responsibilities, sometimes known as assistant ministers.
Cheeseman was a federal MP in the seat of Corangamite – which takes in parts of Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast – from 2007 to 2013. He moved to state politics with his election to the seat of South Barwon, which covers parts of Geelong and areas to the south and west of the city, in 2018.
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