Rogue MP Geoff Shaw brings back The Biff!

• Liberal Party member Geoff Shaw lashes out at protesters
• Allegedly bashes elderly taxi drivers
• Victorian Premier Denis Napthine refuses to ask for Shaw’s resignation

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine says he will not be taking any action against independent Member of Parliament Geoff Shaw who was involved in a violent scuffle with taxi industry protesters on the steps of State Parliament in Melbourne yesterday.

Dr Napthine, who called the incident “ugly and unacceptable”, was speaking after Labor MPs demanded Shaw be expelled from the Liberal Party.

Police are investigating , which left one man injured.

The altercation outside Parliament was filmed by a member of the public and posted online.

In it Shaw is seen walking up the steps of Parliament and being confronted by a man in a green jacket, who then falls to the ground.

He was back protesting on the steps of Parliament today.

Shaw defended his conduct in a statement, saying he was “heckled, yelled at, spat upon and hit” by protesters as he entered Parliament.

The State Government has indicated the protesters could be guilty of contempt for blocking the Member for Frankston’s way.

Shaw, who resigned from the parliamentary Liberal Party in March but still has a personal membership, holds the balance of power in Victoria.

He is fighting 24 charges of misusing his taxpayer-funded car and fuel card.

Opposition declares scuffle the ‘final straw’, wants Shaw expelled from Liberal Party

Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino has told the ABC’s AM program that Shaw should be expelled from the Liberal Party.

“Denis Napthine needs to come out immediately and seek his expulsion. It’s got to be the final straw,” he said.

“A 79-year-old elderly gentleman was assaulted on the steps of Parliament by a person who is already facing 24 serious criminal charges and is the only reason that Denis Napthine is the Premier of this state today.”

One of the protesters, John Zammit, 79, was treated for a cut to his face.

He was back protesting outside the Parliament building today.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews says the Premier must take a principled stance.

“This violent, inappropriate behaviour cannot be tolerated from anybody,” he said.

“He must expel [Shaw] from the Liberal Party, otherwise every Victorian will know that Denis Napthine’s far more concerned about his majority than his personal integrity.”

Premier Denis Napthine described the incident as “ugly” but says he will not be intervening.

Dr Napthine says whether Shaw remains a member of the Liberal Party is a matter for the party’s administration.

“It’s not appropriate for me to comment on the incident yesterday other than to say it was an ugly, unacceptable incident,” he said.

“This matter is now being investigated by police and I don’t want to comment.”

Dr Napthine reiterated that he cannot see any circumstance where Shaw will return as a member of the Parliamentary Liberal Party.

“He has not been a member of the Parliamentary Liberal Party for the entire time that I’ve been Premier,” he said.

“I’ve made it clear I don’t see any circumstance where he would return as a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party.”

Police investigating incident, examining video footage

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay says the investigation into the incident is being taken very seriously.

“It’s very, very early in the investigation,” he said.

“Our people will look at the video footage and speak to any witnesses over the next day or so, and if need be, if we determine it’s necessary, we’ll speak to Mr Shaw in due course.”

Protesters unhappy about the Victorian Government’s taxi reforms were still demonstrating on the steps of Parliament last night.

They say the changes will send them broke by introducing a new flat rate licence fee of $22,000 a year.

Some taxi operators have borrowed large sums of money to pay for taxi licences, which, at their peak, were worth up to $500,000.

Protester Mandy Virk accused Shaw of behaving in a provocative way.

“To walk between the protesters and to push your way through is asking for trouble. I don’t think he should be provoking people,” she said.

“To me, it’s appalling behaviour. I wouldn’t expect that from a six-year-old, let alone someone who’s meant to represent us.”