Key Points
- Pittwater MP Rory Amon has been charged with the alleged sexual assault of a teenager in 2017.
- Investigations began in 2022 but a strike force was set up in March 2023, the same month as the national elections.
- The first-term NSW Liberal MP has quit Parliament.
A first-term New South Wales Liberal MP has quit parliament after being charged over an alleged sexual assault on a teenager in 2017.
Pittwater MP Rory Amon – who was also the party’s spokesperson on youth issues, was arrested on Friday morning at Manly police station and charged with 10 offences.
They include five counts of sexual intercourse with a person over 10 years old and under 14 years old, two of attempted sexual intercourse with a child over 10 years old under 14 years old, two of assault indecency with a person under 16 and committing an indecent act with a person under 16.
Amon denied the 2017 allegations in a statement, saying he would “make his case in court, not in the media.”
State liberals acted quickly after news of the accusations became public, with demanding Amon’s resignation from the party and parliament.
The spokesperson said the 35-year-old immediately left the party and tendered his resignation as an MP.
“The charges against Rory Amon are extremely serious… the alleged conduct goes to the heart of the standards expected of MPs,” the Liberal leader said.
“Even though Mr. Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a criminal trial will not take place for some time and, in the meantime, the citizens of Pittwater have the right to have a deputy capable of carrying out fully fulfill its functions within the community.”
In a statement, Amon said, “The people of Pittwater should have a representative who can dedicate one hundred percent of their time to advocating for this wonderful community. »
“While I defend myself against these accusations, I will not be able to devote all of my energy to representing them.”
Detectives began an investigation in June 2022 after reports of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale, part of the Amon electorate on Sydney’s northern beaches, five years earlier.
They were told a teenager had been sexually assaulted by a man he knew.
A strike force was set up in March 2023, the same month as the national elections.
Amon has been released on bail under strict conditions and is due to appear in court for the first time to answer to these charges on September 18.
Lawyers for the first-term MP appeared at Manly Local Court on Friday after filing an application to suppress his identity, a request they later abandoned.
Amon rose quickly within the Liberal Party and was immediately placed on Speakman’s leadership team after his election to Parliament.
His positions included positions as deputy opposition spokesperson for youth, infrastructure, transport and roads.
Anyone seeking information or support regarding sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts on 1800 272 831 or Blue Knot on 1300 657 380.
