Liberal MP Rory Amon has quit the party and the New South Wales state parliament after being charged with raping a boy aged between 10 and 14.
The MP for Pittwater on Sydney’s northern beaches was on arrested at 6am on Friday by detectives investigating the alleged sexual assault of a teenage boy by a man known to him in Mona Vale in July 2017.
Amon, 35, was then charged with five counts have sexual intercourse with person over 10 & under 14, two counts attempt sexual intercourse child over 10 under 14, two counts indecent assault person under 16 years of age and commit act of indecency with person under 16 years.
The shadow assistant youth minister was given strict conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on September 18, and said that he will fight the charges.
“Today I have been charged in relation to events alleged to have taken place in 2017. I deny all charges, and will make my case in the courts, not in the media,” he said in a statement.
“Accordingly, I will make no further comment on the case. The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in Parliament.
“As a result, I have tendered my resignation as the Member for Pittwater, effective immediately. The people of Pittwater should have a representative who can dedicate one hundred per cent of their time advocating for this wonderful community.
“As I defend myself against these charges, I will not be able to devote my full energy to representing them.”
Opposition leader Mark Speakman said the charges were “extremely serious” and confirmed he had asked for Amon’s resignation.
“While Mr Amon is entitled to the presumption of innocence, a criminal trial will be some time away and in the meantime the citizens of Pittwater are entitled to have a Member of Parliament who can discharge their duties in the community fully,” he said.
“I therefore also asked Mr Amon to resign from the New South Wales Parliament, effective immediately. He has tendered his resignation to the Speaker.”
Mr Amon was elected to state parliament in March 2023 after serving as a councillor for Northern Beaches Council from 2017 to 2023.
