Victorian Opposition Leader Fined For Not Wearing Mask In Parliament House
Four other Members of Parliament have also been charged.
The Leader of the Opposition in Victoria, Matthew Guy, has been fined by Victorian Police for not wearing a mask.
Guy, along with Nationals leader Peter Walsh, Shadow Treasurer David Davis, and MPs Melina Bath and Gary Blackwood, were photographed maskless on Tuesday last week.
The four other offending MPs have also been charged.
They were all attending an address delivered to the Party Room by former AFL star turned long-running Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy.
Guy has previously called the state's indoor mask rules 'confusing', and in a statement this afternoon said the Liberals and its Coalition partners, the Nationals, would continue to advocate for the removal of face mask mandates in 'low-risk' settings.
Doing so, he said, would help the state 'recover, rebuild and move forward'.
Despite his views on marks, he said he and his colleagues had cooperated with the process.
"This afternoon Victoria Police have confirmed that they have issued fines to five Victorian Coalition MPs," he said.
"As previously stated, at all times the Victorian Liberals and Nationals cooperated with Victoria Police in relation to this matter and accordingly the fines will be paid promptly."
Victorians are currently required to wear masks indoors.
Last October, Labor Premier Daniel Andrews was fined $400 when he was filmed without a mask on multiple occasions.
In relation to his rival's fine, Andrews said it was a matter for the Victorian Police, but reiterated that the rules exist to keep people safe.
"If you don't follow the rules, then you get a fine, then you pay the fine. I say this with some authority," he said.
"Keeping people safe is not confusing," he added.
"I know no one enjoys wearing a mask, but the rules are there, and they should be followed."
Featured Image Credit: Matthew Guy/ FacebookVivienne Kelly