Sam Groth Faces Backlash Over Alleged Misuse of Taxpayer Funds After Australian Open

Victorian politics is once again in the spotlight as Deputy Liberal Leader Sam Groth faces mounting scrutiny over allegations of misusing taxpayer-funded resources for personal benefit. The controversy erupted following reports that the former tennis star used a chauffeured car, allocated to fellow MP Georgie Crozier, to transport himself and his wife home from the 2024 Australian Open.

The vehicle, reportedly meant for official duties, was allegedly used for a personal journey spanning nearly 100 kilometers from Melbourne’s CBD to Rye, raising questions about the blurred lines between public service and private comfort. Making matters worse, Groth is also accused of misleading Crozier about the car’s use, claiming he needed it for a work-related event.

In response, the Nepean MP released a public statement strongly denying any wrongdoing. “I attended the Australian Open in both an official and personal capacity,” he said. “Everything was and is above board. There is nothing to hide.”

Groth dismissed claims that he was intoxicated during the event, stating his presence included meetings with stakeholders and participation in a Coalition fundraiser. He also emphasized the sacrifices of political life, saying, “This job keeps me away from my wife and twin boys. When I get a chance for my family to join me, I pay for it myself.”

Despite calls from within the party for accountability, Liberal leader Brad Battin has stood by his deputy. “I’m confident that Sam has followed the rules,” Battin said. “He has been working very hard engaging with the community and fulfilling his duties as Shadow Minister for Tourism, Sport, Events and Hospitality.”

But this is not the only trip putting Groth under the microscope.

A recent parliamentary allowance report revealed taxpayer-funded expenses totaling over $1,400 for a February trip to Adelaide — including accommodation and flights. The timing coincided with a LIV Golf event and Valentine’s Day, prompting critics to question whether the trip was more personal getaway than political duty. While Groth posted on Instagram about his wife at the airport lounge, he later defended the trip, citing meetings with stakeholders and discussions about a jet ski exclusion zone at Glenelg.

However, expenses filed for Uber rides from the South Australian Parliament to Glenelg — on a Sunday when Parliament was not in session — have only fueled public suspicion. Groth has so far declined to answer direct questions about that journey, stating only, “I’ve fully disclosed everything I do in this job and continue to do so.”

The saga has intensified internal fractures within the Victorian Liberals. Some MPs are outraged at Groth and Battin for undermining party integrity, while others point fingers at Crozier, suggesting she should never have lent the car in the first place.

The timing is also critical. With legal troubles looming over former leader John Pesutto, the party’s image is already fragile. Pesutto faces bankruptcy proceedings over a $2.3 million defamation cost owed to fellow Liberal Moira Deeming — a financial storm that could further splinter party unity.

For now, Sam Groth remains defiant, insisting all his actions were within the rules. But with a furious electorate, internal dissent, and a watchdog media, the road ahead may be far more treacherous than the chauffeured ride that sparked this political firestorm.