Ex-Greens MP Sam Hibbins Resigns After Office Vandalism and Affair Scandal
Former Victorian Greens MP Sam Hibbins has announced he will resign from Parliament, weeks after stepping down from his party over an affair with a staffer. The resignation, which follows a series of personal and professional challenges, comes amid claims of a targeted campaign against him.
In a statement shared on social media, Hibbins, who has represented Prahran in inner Melbourne since 2014, described an incident of “unauthorised access” to his office at Victoria’s Parliament House. He alleged that personal items, including family photos, were defaced with offensive and threatening graffiti. Hibbins said he had reported the incident to both parliamentary services and the police, but did not offer further details on the investigation.
“This has become a concerted campaign against me,” Hibbins wrote, emphasizing that his family’s safety and well-being, particularly the mental health of his two young children, were his top priority. “As the father of two young children, I must put their safety first.”
Hibbins, who is married with two children, had previously announced he would resign from the Greens and sit as an independent following the public revelation of a consensual relationship with a staff member that breached party rules. Greens leader Ellen Sandell confirmed that a complaint had been lodged about the affair and, after a meeting with Hibbins, some allegations were confirmed while others were disputed. Sandell also noted that the staff member involved was “very distressed,” and the party had provided support.
The scandal, which has had a significant impact on Hibbins’ family, has led to widespread media coverage and public scrutiny. Despite the personal toll, Hibbins had continued to serve as the MP for Prahran until his recent resignation announcement. His departure now triggers a by-election in the seat, which he held with a 12% margin following his victory from the Liberals in 2014.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Department of Parliamentary Services confirmed they were aware of the vandalism claims made by Hibbins, but stated they could not provide further comment on the matter.
Hibbins’ resignation marks the end of his time in Parliament after a decade of service, and adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing challenges faced by the Victorian Greens.
