Sam Groth’s Early Exit Prompts Costly Nepean By-Election

MELBOURNE (Azat TV) – Former deputy Liberal leader Sam Groth will resign from the Victorian Parliament next week, triggering a costly by-election in the Mornington Peninsula seat of Nepean just months before the state’s general election in November 2026. Groth’s early departure, ahead of his previously announced retirement at the November poll, forces voters to the polls twice in quick succession and places renewed pressure on the Liberal party under Opposition Leader Jess Wilson.

Mr. Groth, a first-term Member of Parliament, confirmed his imminent resignation, stating his intention to pursue ‘other opportunities.’ In a statement, he thanked the people of Nepean for their trust and expressed gratitude to his staff and family. His decision comes after he had already indicated he would not contest the November state election, citing public pressure on his family that he claimed originated from within his own party.

Nepean By-Election and Financial Implications

The snap by-election in Nepean means residents in the Mornington Peninsula-based electorate will vote twice within a year—once for the by-election in the early half of 2026 and again in November for the broader state election. This duplication of electoral processes carries a significant financial burden. According to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s 2024-25 annual report, recent state by-elections in Werribee and Prahran each cost approximately $2,109,500.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson publicly supported Mr. Groth’s decision, acknowledging the demanding nature of politics. ‘Politics is a really tough game. It’s a really tough environment and sometimes it can take an incredible toll on people’s families,’ Ms. Wilson stated at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. She framed the upcoming by-election as an ‘opportunity to listen to the people of Nepean, to earn their trust and to outline our priorities,’ though she declined to comment on the cost or potential candidates.

Groth’s Reasons and Political Fallout

Mr. Groth’s decision to leave parliament without serving a full term follows a period of intense scrutiny. He was the subject of media headlines in early 2025 when the Herald Sun newspaper published a series of articles about his relationship with his wife. Mr. Groth subsequently sued the newspaper for defamation, with the parties reportedly settling out of court and the Herald Sun issuing an apology in November.

When he first announced his intention not to contest the November election, Mr. Groth alluded to internal strife. He stated, ‘But when you find yourself having to fight against your own team, it becomes impossible to put those interest first.’ This sentiment underscores the challenges he faced within the Liberal party, which he briefly served as deputy leader before stepping down from that role after flagging his intention to quit politics.

Liberal Party Under Scrutiny Amid Departure

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll of the Labor party seized on Groth’s resignation, calling it an ‘indictment’ on Ms. Wilson’s leadership and the Liberal party. ‘It’s game, set, match for the Victorian Liberal party,’ Mr. Carroll declared, noting that Ms. Wilson had been leader for less than 50 days when her former deputy announced his exit. He confirmed that Labor’s state and local branches would meet to decide whether to field a candidate in Nepean, a seat Labor has not typically contested in by-elections during this parliamentary term unless it was a seat they already held.

Sam Groth was elected to parliament in 2022, transitioning from a successful professional tennis career where he represented Australia at the Olympics and various international tournaments. During his parliamentary tenure, he held shadow portfolios including tourism, sport and major events, and trade and investment.

Mr. Groth’s early departure and the ensuing by-election create an unexpected and potentially destabilizing challenge for the Victorian Liberal party, which is striving to build momentum ahead of the critical November general election. The timing and circumstances of his resignation suggest deeper internal issues that could complicate the party’s efforts to present a united front to voters.