By Luke Voogt
Geelong-based MP Simon Ramsay will give up his seat next election after blowing almost four times the legal limit behind the wheel on Saturday.
The Member for Western Victoria announced he would not recontest November’s Victorian Election in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am deeply remorseful for my actions and apologise for my error of judgement,” he said.
“I also regret any embarrassment and hurt caused to my family, friends, colleagues and the Liberal Party.”
Bellarine police busted Mr Ramsay driving with a blood alcohol level of .19 on Saturday night at Barwon Heads.
He rang Victorian Liberal Party leader Matthew Guy to resign from his position as shadow parliamentary secretary following the incident.
Mr Guy accepted his resignation immediately.
Mr Ramsay would continue his term in the upper house until the Victorian Election on 24 November, he said.
“It has been a great honour to represent the people of Western Victoria. “Promoting and protecting our regional communities has been core to my effort.”
Mr Ramsay was proud of his work with parliament’s Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee investigating ice use and supply under the previous Liberal State Government.
Mr Ramsay said he would continue to support the Liberal Party and Mr Guy until the end of his current term.
“I want to thank my colleagues for their kindness during this difficult time.”
Mr Ramsay met with Mr Guy on Tuesday to advise him he would not recontest.
The party leader slammed his subordinate’s actions over the weekend at a press conference on Monday.
He said the high-range drink driving would make many Victorians very angry, especially emergency workers or those who had experienced road trauma.
“Drink driving is incredibly dangerous and there is no excuse for it.”
Mr Guy said the courts should make an example of Mr Ramsay given his status as an MP.
“As a sitting member of parliament to do this… leaves me very angry.
“There is a special responsibility when you’re talking about drink-driving laws.”
But Mr Ramsay immediately admitting his wrongdoing, Mr Guy said.
“He’s paid a very high price for it and frankly, so he should.”
He admitted Mr Ramsay losing his licence would affect his ability to operate as an upper house member covering all of western Victoria.
