Greens candidate Dominic Phillips stood down over rape allegations
The Greens candidate stood down over rape allegations just two days before Saturday's state election has been identified as Dominic Phillips.
Mr Phillips, who is standing for the seat of Sandringham and whose name will still appear on ballot papers, was stood down on Thursday after a woman wrote to Greens leader Samantha Ratnam by email accusing the candidate of raping her.
Greens candidate for Sandringham Dominic Phillips.
The Greens did not name Mr Phillips as the subject of the complaint on Thursday, but on Friday morning Ms Ratnam revealed his identity on ABC radio, saying she wanted to quell rumours on social media.
"We have acted swiftly and decisively, we're taking it very seriously and the candidate has been stood down," Ms Ratnam told the ABC.
"All campaign activities in the seat of Sandringham have ceased and there'll be no further campaign activities in that seat.
"We are seeing a lot of commentary on social media where the name is being discussed so it is important that we have no ambiguity, particularly this close to polling day.
"I want voters to have confidence when they go to the ballot box about the status of all our candidates.
"This is a very very serious matter and we have taken it with the seriousness it has required and tried to ensure due and fair process to all involved."
Comment is being sought from Mr Phillips through the Greens party.
The woman has asked the party not to reveal her identity.
Ms Ratnam said the party was working with the woman and encouraging her to make a report to police.
In a statement on Thursday, the Greens said Ms Ratnam received the written complaint at 8.26am.
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam.Credit:Justin McManus
"At 10.12am Samantha Ratnam personally contacted the complainant to confirm that their message had been received, was being taken seriously and that immediate actions were being taken to initiate an investigation in line with agreed processes," a Greens spokesman said.
"The candidate named in the complaint has been ordered to withdraw from all campaign-related activities pending a formal investigation."
Sandringham is a safe bayside Liberal seat held on a margin of 7.3 per cent.
The Greens have been plagued by scandals during the election campaign.
The party defended its candidate for Footscray, Angus McAlpine, after it emerged that he had previously performed in a hip hop group with lyrics about date rape.
Mr McAlpine said at the time that he was on a journey away from toxic masculinity.
Ms Ratnam said it was important to consider each issue separately in its own context.
"It certainly has been a very challenging few weeks," she told the ABC.
"I think it's really important to distinguish these allegations and the seriousness of different types of matters.
"This [rape allegation] was a very serious matter and this was the action that was warranted."
with Adam Carey
Anna is a breaking and general news reporter at The Age.
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