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Matthew Jason Guy (born 6 March 1974) is an Australian politician. He has been a Liberal Party member of the Parliament of Victoria since 2006, representing the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council (2006–2014) and Bulleen in the Legislative Assembly (2014–present). He was Leader of the Opposition in Victoria and state leader of the Liberal Party from 2014 to 2018 and again from 2021 to 2022, having resigned following his respective losses in the 2018 and 2022 Victorian state elections.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Guy was born on 6 March 1974 in Greensborough, Victoria.[2] He is of Ukrainian descent on his maternal side; his mother was born in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and arrived in Australia in 1949 with her parents as displaced persons.[3][4]

Guy has a Bachelor of Arts in politics and history from La Trobe University and completed postgraduate studies in Ukrainian language and culture at Monash University.[5] According to a 2013 Herald-Sun profile, he "speaks Ukrainian, has visited relatives in the country many times and is a proud and active member of Melbourne's Ukrainian community".[6]

After leaving university, Guy worked as director of research in the office of Victorian premier Jeff Kennett from 1997 to 1999. He also worked briefly as media adviser to Senator Rod Kemp, before returning to state politics as chief of staff to opposition leader Denis Napthine from 1999 to 2002.[7] In 2003, Guy joined the Victorian Farmers Federation as marketing and communications manager.[8] He moved to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in 2004 as government relations manager.[7]

Political career

[edit]

Guy joined the Liberal Party in 1990.[7] He was the Liberal candidate for Yan Yean in the 2002 Victorian state election but was not elected. At the 2006 Victorian state election he succeeded as the top candidate on the Liberal ticket for the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Upper House, after which he was soon appointed as Shadow Minister for Planning. Prior to the Brumby government's abortion law reform bill passing the parliament, Guy stated that it would be a sad day if the bill became law which he voted against.[9]

Minister for Planning (2010–2014)

[edit]

Guy was re-elected at the 2010 Victorian state election and was subsequently appointed Minister for Planning.

Ventnor land rezoning

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In September 2011, Guy overruled Bass Coast Shire and rezoned a 5.7-hectare farming property at Ventnor, Phillip Island, from farmland into the township making it available for development.[10] The rezoning decision was unpopular, with one hundred submissions calling for the town boundaries to be retained, while only one submission from the developers supported the rezoning.[10] Opposition to the rezoning included American singer Miley Cyrus, who tweeted to her 2.5 million followers that "Phillip Island is such a magical place, it would be a shame to see it change".[11]

Days later, Guy reversed his decision, advising the Bass Coast mayor, Veronica Dowman, that he had changed his mind.[12] It is believed that Guy succumbed to backroom pressure from Liberal heavy-weights (including local federal Liberal MP Greg Hunt, Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and his deputy, Louise Asher) when he back-flipped on his original decision to rezone the land.[13] The developer behind the rezoning, Ms Carley Nicholls, claims to have received a favourable hearing from Matthew Guy when she briefed him on the scheme at a "kitchen table meeting" in her home months before he controversially approved it.[14] Nicholls purchased the property based on the rezoning decision and subsequently sought to sue Guy and have his original rezoning decision reinstated.[14] In defence, Guy stated in court documents that he acted in error in rezoning the land but had relied on the advice of ministerial staff. He says he overturned his decision after learning that the Bass Coast Shire Council opposed the extension of town boundaries at Ventnor. Guy denied discussing the Ventnor project with Ms Nicholls or even knowing of her interest in the property.[14]

Legal proceedings terminated in August 2013 with a multimillion-dollar out-of-court settlement, with taxpayers footing the bill.[15][16] In October 2013, the Victorian ombudsman George Brouwer decided to launch an investigation to address Guy's decision to rezone the Ventnor site, against the original advice of his department, the department's lawyers, the local Bass Coast shire and an independent planning panel.[15] The settlement cost Victorian taxpayers $2.5 million plus costs, for a total of more than $3.5 million, documents reveal. Senior lawyers had told the government that it should have paid a maximum of $250,000 plus legal costs. Confidential Government documents show Guy ordered the multimillion-dollar payment despite repeated legal advice from a number of senior lawyers that the government had a strong case, and there was little or no grounds for a damages claim against it. "This may be winnable @ law but this is a political fight and it is unwinnable," Guy is quoted as saying in confidential notes made by the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office in July 2013.[17]

In early 2014, Guy overruled his department to block the release of freedom of information documents about the botched rezoning of farmland on Phillip Island.[18] In March 2014, Mr Brouwer found that Guy was ultimately responsible for the rezoning decision and that he had refused to hand over important documents requested as part of his investigation.[19] However, Mr Brouwer also found that Guy was unaware that his advisers were acting in his name when asking for the planning department to change its advice.[19]

High-rise building approvals

[edit]

During his tenure as planning minister, Matthew Guy became known for approving a large number of high rise buildings apartment towers in the CBD and Southbank, and for rezoning swaths of land at Fishermans Bend, Footscray and North Melbourne for high-rise development. Developments over 25,000 square metres in total developed area within the CBD and Southbank had long been the responsibility of the Minister for Planning rather than the City of Melbourne, and with the growth of larger apartment developments in the central city in the early 21st century, more and more towers fell into this category. In early 2010 the then Labor Government set up the Central City Standing Planning Committee, with representative from Council and State Government, to advise on these applications, but in December 2010 it was disbanded by the new Coalition Government and not replaced despite it being Coalition policy.[20][21]

By March 2013, Guy had issued approvals for numerous tower projects in central Melbourne, while rejecting only one.[22] The one project Guy did not approve and instead intervened to stop was an 88-metre apartment tower at 35 Albert Road, where he imposed height controls. Doing so protected the views to the bay enjoyed by some of Melbourne's richest business people, including active Liberal Party supporters, MP Andrea Coote and former federal deputy Liberal leader Peter Reith, from a nearby tower.[22]

In March 2013, Guy announced that he had approved plans for the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere – Australia 108 – with a height of 388 metres, 90 metres higher than Eureka Tower. This approval drew criticism from the Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who was concerned the building would cast a shadow over the Shrine of Remembrance, and from planning academic Professor Michael Buxton, who referred to Guy as "Mr Skyscraper."[22][23]

In February 2014 Guy approved five large apartment developments on what he dubbed as "Super Tuesday". They included a 'pencil thin' 55 storey tower at 464 Collins Street, a 63-storey, 632-unit tower on A'Beckett Street near Elizabeth Street, and a 55-storey tower of 466 apartments at 398 Elizabeth Street.[24]

In June 2014, Australia 108 was approved for a second time with a height reduction after Fairfax Media revealed the building violated federal air safety regulations for Essendon Airport.[25]

At the same time Guy approved a 75-level tower at 452 Elizabeth Street, and a 54-storey building at 84–90 Queensbridge Street, with reasons he gave being that with Australia 108 they would provide homes for 4000 people, and "Building more apartments in the city takes population pressure off quieter suburban areas,".[25] Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said the minister, by approving so many skyscrapers so quickly for Melbourne's CBD, was displaying "a complete disregard for the impact these developments are going to have" over a 15- or 20-year period.[25]

Wind farm laws

[edit]

Before the 2010 state election, the then Liberal–National opposition announced plans to restrict wind farm developments across Victoria, within two kilometres of homes and in the vicinity of regional towns. On 29 August 2011, Minister Guy delivered on this commitment through approval of Amendment VC82 to the Victoria Planning Provisions, prohibiting new wind turbines within two kilometres of homes unless there is written consent from the homeowner.[26] VC82 also introduced no-go zones for wind farms in the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula, Great Ocean Road region, the Macedon and McHarg Ranges, and the Bass Coast.[27][28]

The Coalition government was criticised for offering little in the way of explanation for no-go zones. The new planning laws were criticised by academics on the basis that they would: entrench fossil fuel generation in the state, make it harder for Victoria to move towards renewable energy, put local above global concerns, and treat wind as more dangerous than coal.[29] Industry also expressed concern about impact of the wind laws on jobs and investment, as did the State opposition.[30] Wind turbine tower manufacturer Keppel Prince threatened to move parts of the business interstate[31] but did not.[32] The Clean Energy Council said the change would cost hundreds of new jobs in regional areas and drive $3.6 billion of investment away from Victoria.[33][34] Pacific Hydro stated that they are not looking at new greenfield developments in Victoria and Windlab Systems stated that the Government's planning laws had "gone too far" and the company was moving all staff to Canberra[34][35]

The then Premier Ted Baillieu had opposed wind energy since the early 2000s, raising concerns about the approval of projects at Portland in western Victoria and the Bald Hills proposal in Gippsland. He referred to wind turbines as "towering triffids" and referred to then Premier Bracks as a "coastal vandal" and as someone who avoided visiting the Toora wind farm out of fear of being "lynched".[36][37]

On 6 March 2013 Denis Napthine became Premier of Victoria. His electorate is home to the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere[38] and also hosts wind turbine tower manufacturer Keppel Prince.[39] Napthine indicated there would be no change to Guy's wind energy planning laws,[40] despite the economic benefits to the Premier's electorate and his personal admiration of wind turbines.[41] Bloomberg New Energy Finance has stated that the wind laws "could push up the price of electricity for consumers by around $2 billion. This is because the Victorian laws essentially will make it harder and more expensive to build renewable energy."[35]

In July 2014, Guy announced a small adjustment to the planning laws allowing existing wind farm permits to be amended, which may assist with upgrading turbine technology.[42]

Opposition leader (2014–2018)

[edit]
Guy's electoral office in Doncaster

In 2014, Guy successfully contested the Legislative Assembly seat of Bulleen, although the Liberal–National coalition was defeated at the same election after just a single term in government. Former Premier Denis Napthine stood down as Liberal leader following the election loss.

Guy was elected as leader of the Liberal Party in a leadership ballot contested on 4 December 2014, making him Leader of the Opposition after defeating Michael O'Brien for the position.[43][44][45][46]

Comparing jails to South Africa

[edit]

In January 2017, following a riot in which several juvenile inmates escaped from a correctional facility, Guy criticised the state government by remarking several times that "This is a government who is standing by and allowing Melbourne to become the Johannesburg of the South Pacific."[47] These comments attracted attention from the governing party of South Africa, the African National Congress, which released a statement describing Guy's comments as "unfortunate". The statement also said "These comments are regrettable, and feed into lazy stereotypes of African cities as crime havens. They serve to tarnish the reputation of the City of Johannesburg – known widely as the gateway to Africa; and regularly cited amongst several indices as a world-class city".[48][49] After the Australian High Commission in South Africa distanced itself from Guy's comments, he responded by stating "I am more interested in solving Victoria's crime wave than responding to press releases from South Africa's left wing ANC political party".[50]

"Lobster with a Mobster"

[edit]
Lobster Cave Beaumaris which closed down in 2025 https://www.9news.com.au/national/lobster-cave-closes-doors-after-38-years/e83d5980-c43e-474a-a4ee-3474aa577984

Matthew Guy and Tony Madafferi first crossed paths in 2013 when Guy, the then Planning Minister in the Liberal Party government, was a special guest at a fund-raising event in Docklands at a venue Madafferi co-owned. Guy claimed to have had no knowledge Madafferi was at or hosting the event. Senior Labor politician Luke Donnellan accused the Liberals in the Victorian parliament of taking "blood money… stained with misery and crime".[51] In August 2017, media outlets reported that Guy attended a dinner with Tony Madafferi at Lobster Cave restaurant situated at Beaumaris concourse, owner of the La Porchetta pizza chain, who has been accused in court by police of being a high-ranking member of Melbourne's Calabrian Mafia.[52] Guy's office confirmed his attendance, but denied the meeting was secret or that Guy was aware of Madafferi's presence until he arrived, although secretly recorded phone conversations appeared to contradict these statements. According to the recordings and other sources, the meeting was allegedly organised to be for the purpose of raising funds for Guy in his role as Leader of the Opposition.[53] A day later, Guy referred himself to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), saying he was confident he would be cleared of any wrongdoing,[54] but IBAC said it did not have the power to investigate.[55] Guy's claim that those who attended the dinner had not given donations was contradicted by one of the dinner's guests, Frank Lamattina, while attending an event for then member for Hastings Neale Burgess.[56][57]

Good Friday pairing incident

[edit]

On 29 March 2018, the day before Good Friday, the Legislative Council debated the Andrews government's Fire Services Bill which would see the merger of Victoria's metropolitan and regional firefighting services into a single body, and grant presumptive rights for cancer compensation to firefighters. As the debate went on, Liberal MLCs Craig Ondarchie and Bernie Finn requested leave for religious reasons due to Good Friday observance, and were each granted a pair. When the bill was put to the vote, Ondarchie and Finn returned to the chamber and voted against it, defeating it 19 votes to 18. On 3 April, Guy defended this apparent breach of parliamentary convention, saying the "means were absolutely justified", that he had ordered their return, and was proud that their actions had “saved the Country Fire Authority (CFA)”.[58]

State election loss

[edit]

Guy led the party to the November 2018 state election. The Liberal/National Coalition suffered large swings against it and lost several seats in Eastern Melbourne to the Labor Party. Guy's campaign focused chiefly on curbing what he claimed was high crime rates in parts of Melbourne as well as seeking to shift population growth in Melbourne to regional Victoria. The Coalition lost a net 11-seats, only winning 27 seats. Guy resigned as leader of the Liberal Party on 28 November 2018, and was replaced by Michael O'Brien.[59]

Opposition leader (2021–2022)

[edit]

On 6 September 2021, Guy resigned from O'Brien's shadow cabinet ahead of a possible leadership challenge.[60] The following day, Guy replaced O'Brien as party leader in a leadership spill and became party leader and Leader of the Opposition for the second time.[61][62]

In February 2022, Guy, along with Peter Walsh, David Davis, Gary Blackwood and Melina Bath, were fined $100 each for breaching face mask rules, after the Coalition MPs were photographed maskless while attending an event in Parliament House.[63][64][65] Guy oversaw Bernie Finn being expelled from the Liberal party.[66] On 13 September 2022, during a Victorian parliamentary session for offering of condolences following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Guy mistakenly referred to King Arthur as one of the historical monarchs of the United Kingdom, rather than King Alfred. Guy's office suggested that he “misspoke/misread” and Hansard was amended to read "King Alfred", per the editorial policy.[67]

August 2022 corruption allegations and IBAC referral

[edit]

In August 2022, Guy and his chief of staff Mitch Catlin were referred to the Victoria Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police to determine whether they had committed a crime by conspiring to engage in corrupt behaviour. Catlin unsuccessfully sought more than $100,000 in payments from billionaire Liberal donor Jonathan Munz, over and above his publicly funded salary, a potential breach of the IBAC Act as well as potentially breaching the Electoral Act that prohibits entering into a scheme to circumvent electoral donation laws.[68] It was also revealed that the reason the payments were eventually not made was that Munz had rejected the scheme rather than it being ended by Guy. Catlin resigned shortly after the revelations. In the wake of that resignation, Guy made a short statement emphasising that "no agreement" had been made, but did not answer questions about why he had not been the one to cancel the potential deal.[69]

Guy counter-attacked Daniel Andrews over email contact between Andrews and property developer John Woodman. Woodman was the subject of IBAC investigation, starting in 2019, into alleged payments made to City of Casey councillors. Guy said the emails were an "integrity" issue and that Andrews had to "come out and explain" them. Andrews "did not believe that any correspondence existed" between him and Woodman, but began a search of his records. On 19 August 2022 Andrews revealed a small number of emails regarding a pair of charity golf events organised by Woodman in 2017 and 2018. The events raised $400,000 for the Monash Children's Hospital and $300,000 for the Royal Women's Hospital of Melbourne.[70][71]

On 16 November 2022 the Victorian Electoral Commission confirmed that they referred Guy, Catlin and Munz to IBAC after the Electoral Commission did not receive full cooperation during their investigation into the potential breaches of funding & disclosure laws.[72]

2022 Victorian state election loss

[edit]

Guy and the Liberal Party began their election campaign on 2 November with a press conference that saw Guy unveil their "Ditch Dan" vehicle, a 1970s era ambulance emblazoned with anti-Andrews slogans and graphics. The vehicle having the "Ambulance" designation above the driver's area caused the head of the Victorian Ambulance Union, Danny Hill, to question the legality of the vehicle, as the state's Ambulance Services Act makes it an offence to use the word "ambulance" on any vehicle that is not owned or operated by an ambulance service without written authority of the Department of Health. The ambulance was used to tie into Guy's promised regarding the building of new hospitals and recruiting 40,000 new medical staff.[73] Guy also promised to axe stamp duty for first home buyers on properties up to $1 million for 12 months.

On 8 November Guy defended his party advertising attacking Dan Andrews for being a "prick", and the use of footage from antivax protests in Melbourne where protestors urinated on the Shrine of Remembrance and attacked police.[74][75]

On 10 November 2022, Guy downplayed his deputy David Southwick using two staffers employed by Southwick as actors in campaign ads without disclosing they are members of his campaign staff. When Guy was asked if the use of paid staffers in campaign ads was misleading, Guy replied by endorsing Southwick and stating that "it was not misleading" regardless of the lack of a disclaimer.[76][77]

On 19 November 2022, Guy dumped Renee Heath, the first ranked candidate for the Liberal ticket in the Eastern Victoria Region of the upper house Victorian Legislative Council, from the party after her far-right conservative religious views, including support for Conversion therapy, were bought to light by a newspaper investigation. The decision came too late for Heath to be disendorsed by the party, and her position on the ticket made it an effective certainty that she would win a position in Parliament. Questions were raised over how much Guy and the Liberal Party knew of her views, and the accusations of Entryism made regarding Heath and her family by Liberal party member Cathrine Burnett-Wake in her final address to Parliament after Heath defeated her for pre-selection.[78][79]

Guy's Liberal/National coalition lost the election to Daniel Andrews and the Labor Party on 26 November 2022, winning just 19 and 9 seats respectively, to Labor’s 56.[80][81]

Resignation as Opposition Leader

[edit]

The morning following the election Guy announced that he would resign as leader of the Liberal party.[82] On 8 December 2022, following a secret ballot, he was replaced as Liberal leader by John Pesutto.[83]

Guy has served as Victorian Shadow Minister for Public Transport since October 2023, and was appointed Shadow Minister for Transition to Government in January 2025.[84]

Personal life

[edit]

Guy lived in Templestowe as of 2022. He is married with three children and met his wife while he was serving as chief of staff to the then opposition leader, Denis Napthine.[85]

Guy is a Christian,[86] and in his maiden speech to parliament stated that he attended Scots' Church, Melbourne.[87]

As of 2018, Guy was a member of the St Kilda Saints, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Radio 3RRR and the National Trust of Victoria.[88]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Matthew Guy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew Jason Guy (born 6 March 1974) is an Australian politician and member of the Liberal Party who has represented the electorate of Bulleen in the since 2014, following prior service in the for the Northern Metropolitan Region from 2006 to 2014. Currently, he holds shadow ministerial portfolios for Major Projects and Transition to Government. Guy entered in 2006 and rose to prominence as Minister for Planning during the Baillieu and Napthine governments from 2010 to 2014, where he approved significant urban developments, including expansions of Melbourne's by 50 percent and permits for multiple projects, contributing to the revitalization of areas like Docklands. He also briefly served as Minister for Multicultural Affairs and in 2014. Following the Coalition's 2014 election defeat, Guy became and Liberal Party leader from December 2014 to December 2018, resigning after the 2018 loss; he returned to the role in September 2021, leading the party through the 2022 election, which resulted in another defeat and his subsequent resignation. Throughout his tenure, particularly as planning minister, Guy has faced multiple controversies involving allegations of improper influence in development approvals and political donations, including referrals to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). However, IBAC investigations, including a recent probe into related donation matters, have cleared his former and yielded no adverse findings of against Guy himself.

Early life

Upbringing and family background

Matthew Guy was born and raised in Greensborough, a suburb in Melbourne's northeast. He grew up in a typical three-bedroom house in Melbourne's outer suburbs, attending the local public high school and engaging in common childhood activities such as playing and riding his bike. Guy's family background reflects post-war migration patterns, with Ukrainian heritage on his maternal side. His maternal grandparents, Ivan and Maree, fled Soviet-controlled Ukraine during World War II, seeking refuge in Germany before immigrating to Australia as displaced persons. His mother was born in Ukraine's Kharkiv region and arrived in Australia in 1949 with her parents. Guy's parents both held public sector roles: his father in the Commonwealth public service and his mother at the ANZ bank. At age eight, he watched the 1982 Victorian state election coverage alongside his father, an experience that highlighted early exposure to politics within the household.

Education and early career

Guy attended Montmorency Secondary College in Melbourne's north-east, where he joined the Young Liberals at age 16 during the under the Cain-Kirner Labor government. He subsequently studied at , earning a degree, with a focus on and , while working part-time to fund his education. At the university, Guy led the Liberal Club, engaging in debates with Labor student groups that honed his political acumen. Prior to entering in 2006, Guy held policy-oriented roles, including positions with the Victorian Farmers Federation representing agricultural interests, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and as a staffer for Victorian Premier and federal Assistant Treasurer Senator Rod Kemp. These experiences in regulatory, agricultural advocacy, and political advisory work provided foundational exposure to government operations and economic policy.

Parliamentary career

Election to Legislative Council and initial roles (2006–2010)

Guy was elected to the Victorian Legislative Legislative Council as a Liberal Party member at the state election on 25 November 2006, representing the Northern Metropolitan Region. The election resulted in a second term for the Labor government under Premier John Brumby, with the Liberal-National Coalition remaining in opposition led by Ted Baillieu. As a newly elected Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Guy focused on metropolitan issues pertinent to his region, including suburban development and infrastructure. In December 2006, shortly after the election, Guy was appointed Shadow Minister for Planning in the opposition frontbench, a position he retained through the parliamentary term until the 2010 election. This role positioned him to scrutinize the government's planning policies, particularly urban growth boundaries and housing approvals, which were points of contention amid Melbourne's expansion. During this period, he contributed to opposition critiques of Labor's regulatory approach, advocating for streamlined approvals to boost development while in the minority. Guy's early parliamentary activities included delivering his , emphasizing economic growth and local representation in traditionally Labor-leaning suburbs. He served without additional shadow portfolios or roles during 2006–2010, concentrating on planning scrutiny amid the opposition's push to highlight government inefficiencies in and delivery. By the 2010 election, his tenure as shadow minister had established him as a key voice on development matters within the Liberal Party.

Ministerial portfolios (2010–2014)

Matthew Guy was appointed to his first ministerial position as Minister for Planning on 2 December 2010, immediately following the Coalition's election victory in the 27 November 2010 Victorian state election that ended 11 years of Labor government. He retained this portfolio under Premier Ted Baillieu until Baillieu's resignation on 6 March 2013, and continued to hold it under Premier Denis Napthine until the Coalition's defeat at the 29 November 2014 state election, with the term formally concluding in December 2014. In this role, Guy was responsible for overseeing Victoria's planning system, including statutory planning processes, rezoning approvals, and major urban development projects aimed at accommodating population growth and infrastructure needs. On 17 March 2014, as part of a cabinet reshuffle in the Napthine government, Guy assumed the additional portfolio of Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, which he held until December 2014. This position involved administering policies for multicultural communities, citizenship ceremonies, and integration initiatives, building on prior responsibilities held by other ministers. The following table summarizes Guy's ministerial portfolios during this period:
PortfolioTerm
Minister for Planning2 December 2010 – December 2014
Minister for Multicultural Affairs and March 2014 – December 2014

Opposition Leader first term (2014–2018)

Matthew Guy was elected and on 4 December 2014, following the Coalition's defeat in the 29 November 2014 state election, in which Labor secured 47 seats to the Coalition's 40 in the 88-seat . He prevailed in a party room ballot against former Treasurer Michael O'Brien, with David Hodgett elected as his deputy. Guy's selection marked a return to a more assertive style of leadership within the party, emphasizing economic management and infrastructure priorities inherited from the previous . Throughout his tenure, Guy led to the Andrews Labor government's policies, particularly critiquing rising state debt—which increased from approximately $22.5 billion in mid-2014 to $31.5 billion by June 2018—and the cancellation of major projects like the East-West Link , which Labor axed shortly after taking office in December 2014 at a reported cost of $1.1 billion in sunk expenses. He advocated for reinstating and rail initiatives to address urban congestion, promised tougher law-and-order measures amid rising youth crime statistics (with reported incidents up 20% in some categories between 2015 and 2017), and positioned the Liberals as fiscally conservative alternatives to Labor's spending commitments. Guy's shadow ministry included key figures like as Shadow Treasurer, focusing on reforms to reduce union influence in disputes. In the lead-up to the 24 November 2018 state election, Guy campaigned on a platform pledging $7.6 billion for new hospital capacity, $11 billion for road upgrades, an increase in the threshold to support small businesses, and policies targeting gang-related crime, such as barring offenders from . Despite internal party expectations of a competitive contest, the Liberals suffered a net loss of six seats, securing only 27 in the Assembly as Labor expanded its majority to 55 seats, with swings against the Liberals in traditional strongholds like the outer eastern suburbs. Guy conceded defeat on election night and announced his as leader on 28 November 2018, stating the party required new leadership to rebuild after the unexpected setback, amid post-election reviews citing campaign missteps and factional divisions.

Shadow roles between leadership terms (2018–2021)

Following his resignation as on 6 December 2018 after the Liberal–National Coalition's defeat in the , Matthew Guy served on the backbench of the Victorian for nearly two years. On 6 December 2020, newly re-elected Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien appointed Guy to the shadow ministry in a reshuffle, assigning him the portfolios of Shadow Minister for , Shadow Minister for Jobs and , and Shadow Minister for Business Precincts. These roles focused on scrutinizing the Andrews Labor government's handling of economic recovery, employment initiatives, relations, and urban business districts amid the . Guy retained these positions until 7 September 2021, when he successfully challenged O'Brien in a and resumed the opposition leadership.

Opposition Leader second term (2021–2022)

Matthew Guy assumed leadership of the and the state opposition on 7 September 2021, defeating Michael O'Brien in a party room ballot triggered by a spill motion. Southwick was elected deputy leader in the same vote. Guy positioned his return as a shift toward "a different way of doing politics," emphasizing hope and positivity in initial addresses while pledging to hold the Labor government accountable. Early in his term, Guy focused on Victoria's response, releasing a recovery plan that explicitly rejected support for additional lockdowns and called for improved alternatives, such as enhanced ventilation in facilities. He continued scrutiny of the hotel program, demanding public release of all related audits to address ongoing failures that contributed to outbreaks. In October 2021, Guy opposed the government's proposed pandemic declaration bill, labeling it "the most extreme" overreach and an "incredible attack on " for granting the premier broad powers including warrantless entries and indefinite detentions without sufficient safeguards. On 27 November 2021, Guy formally launched the Coalition's election campaign, one year ahead of the scheduled poll, with a core pledge of "no ifs, no buts, no more lockdowns" under a Liberal-National government, framing it as a break from Labor's restrictions. This stance aligned with broader critiques of Melbourne's extended lockdowns, which Guy later highlighted as the world's longest, though fact-checks noted cumulative days exceeded other cities but required context on individual lockdown durations. Throughout 2022, the opposition under Guy maintained pressure on Labor's economic management and infrastructure delays, but polls consistently showed the Coalition trailing significantly, with Labor projected to secure a third term. The term faced operational hurdles, including the of three senior staffers within eight days in August 2022, comprising the communications director and other key advisors, amid intensifying election preparations. Guy's strategy emphasized reconnecting with voters lost in 2018, but internal party reviews post-election attributed limited gains to perceptions of negativity and failure to differentiate on key issues like cost-of-living relief. The Liberals entered the 26 2022 election holding 27 seats, requiring substantial swings to unseat Labor's majority.

Resignation as Leader and transition (2022)

Following the Victorian state election on November 26, 2022, in which the Labor government under Premier secured a historic third term and expanded its majority to 55 seats in the 88-seat , Matthew Guy conceded defeat and announced his resignation as Liberal Party leader the following day. The Coalition's primary vote fell to approximately 22%, marking the Liberals' worst result in over 70 years and representing a second consecutive election loss under Guy's leadership since 2018. Guy indicated he would stay on as caretaker leader to facilitate an orderly transition, ruling himself out of recontesting the position alongside deputy leader David Southwick and shadow treasurer David Davis. The parliamentary Liberal Party convened a leadership ballot on December 8, 2022, electing as the new leader by a narrow margin of 20 votes to 13 over in a vote among 33 members. Pesutto, a former shadow attorney-general from the moderate faction, pledged to unify the party and address its electoral shortcomings ahead of future contests.

Return to Shadow Ministry (2023–present)

Following his resignation as Leader of the Opposition on 27 November 2022 after the Victorian state election defeat, Matthew Guy was reappointed to the Liberal Party's shadow ministry on 2 October 2023 by party leader John Pesutto, assuming the role of Shadow Minister for Public Transport. In this position, Guy focused on scrutinizing the Labor government's initiatives, including calls for expanded bus services in line with Infrastructure Victoria's recommendations to address capacity shortfalls. He opposed the government's August 2025 proposal to ban lithium-powered e-bikes and e-scooters from trains and trams, arguing it would hinder commuter convenience without enhancing safety. On the $34.5 billion project, Guy announced in August 2025 that the would commit to its completion once tunneling had advanced sufficiently, citing sunk costs exceeding the expense of abandonment, a shift from his prior pledges to scrap the initiative during his leadership tenures. Guy held the portfolio until 13 October 2025, during which time he was also appointed Shadow Minister for Transition to on 7 2025. Following the Liberal Party's leadership transition to in October 2025 and a subsequent reshuffle, Guy's responsibilities expanded to include Shadow Minister for Major Projects alongside his transition role, emphasizing preparation for potential and oversight of large-scale infrastructure.

Policy positions and achievements

Planning and urban development reforms

During his tenure as Minister for Planning from March 2010 to December 2014, Matthew Guy oversaw significant reforms to Victoria's planning system aimed at increasing housing supply, streamlining processes, and accommodating . One key initiative was the release of approximately 95,000 housing lots in metropolitan through an expanded land supply program, which Guy described as the most successful among Australian states at the time. These efforts sought to address urban expansion pressures by rezoning greenfield sites and promoting development. In 2013, Guy introduced a comprehensive overhaul of residential provisions, rolling out new zones effective from July 1, including the Residential Growth Zone, General Residential Zone, and Neighbourhood Residential Zone, alongside updates to commercial, industrial, and rural categories. Local councils were granted discretion to implement these zones following community consultation, with the intent to provide greater flexibility for while protecting heritage and neighborhood character. The reforms replaced outdated zoning tools to better align with projected population increases, emphasizing height limits, setbacks, and lot sizes tailored to urban, suburban, and rural contexts. Guy also advanced infrastructure funding mechanisms by announcing reforms in May 2014 to streamline developer contributions for urban growth, consolidating fragmented levies into a more efficient system to fund roads, parks, and services without imposing new taxes. Complementing these changes, he initiated a review of the broader Victorian planning system to enhance transparency, simplicity, and timeliness, incorporating public and stakeholder input to reduce delays in approvals. Under Guy's leadership, the government developed Plan Melbourne, a strategic framework released in 2014 for managing metropolitan growth over 40 years, which included provisions for directing development to activity centers, improving transport integration, and preserving green wedges. Guy defended the plan as a robust guide for sustainable urban expansion, building on earlier metropolitan and regional growth strategies to balance housing demand with environmental protections. These reforms collectively aimed to modernize Victoria's planning framework, though implementation varied by locality and faced ongoing debates over density and infrastructure delivery.

Economic and infrastructure policies

As Leader of the Opposition, Matthew Guy advocated for economic policies emphasizing fiscal discipline and business growth. He proposed reviewing Victoria's tax system, particularly stamp duty and land tax, to promote long-term sustainability. Guy also called for establishing a Victorian Productivity Commission to reduce regulatory burdens, encourage business investment, and facilitate streamlined economic expansion. To address construction sector inefficiencies, he supported introducing a watchdog and code of conduct targeting cost overruns and union-related issues on major projects. Additionally, his platform included a Charter of Budget Honesty, a public spending tracker, and an Intergenerational Report to enforce budgetary transparency and control. Guy's economic agenda extended to supporting and exports. In 2021, he unveiled a $2.5 billion plan to revitalize Victoria's sector, aiming to repatriate production and end reliance on extended lockdowns. The Liberal-Nationals under his targeted doubling Victoria's exports by 2035 through enhanced initiatives, particularly in resources. For small businesses, commitments included a four-year freeze on government fees to alleviate operational pressures. Guy pledged no new taxes and a cap to curb wasteful expenditure, contrasting with Labor's fiscal approach. On infrastructure, Guy focused on public transport enhancements and pragmatic project delivery. As Shadow Minister for from October 2023, he endorsed Infrastructure Victoria's recommendations for expanded bus services to address urban mobility challenges amid Labor's rail-centric investments. In the 2018 campaign, the Liberal-Nationals platform under his opposition leadership, "Get Victoria Moving," promised to overhaul the passenger rail network with upgraded lines and regional fast rail connections to , , , and the . Regarding the $34.5 billion , Guy campaigned in 2022 to cancel the project for health funding redirection but, by August 2025, shifted to committing completion once tunneling commenced, citing higher cessation costs. He also proposed capping daily public transport fares at $2, though initial plans excluded regional services.

Critiques of Labor government policies

Matthew Guy has frequently criticized the Victorian Labor government's fiscal management, highlighting the escalation of state debt from approximately $28 billion in 2014 to over $165 billion by 2023, attributing it to unchecked spending and cost overruns in major projects. He argued that this trajectory would leave Victoria "broke," with net debt projected to reach $167 billion by mid-2025, outpacing and contributing to stagnant incomes lagging national averages. Guy contended that Labor's embrace of expansive borrowing, including during the response under Premier , prioritized short-term stimulus over sustainable budgeting, resulting in higher taxes and reduced service delivery. On infrastructure, Guy targeted Labor's flagship , pledging in 2022 to cancel it and redirect funds to health services, describing the project as emblematic of "disgraceful" fiscal mismanagement with total cost blowouts exceeding $30 billion across Labor's "Big Build" initiatives. Independent analysis estimated the full project's cost, including operations, at up to $200 billion, far beyond initial projections, which Guy used to argue Labor under-delivered on core transport needs amid rising delays and cancellations. He further critiqued the revival of the State Electricity Commission as poorly planned, warning it would necessitate additional debt amid existing overruns. Guy accused Labor of exacerbating Victoria's crisis through lenient bail laws and youth justice reforms, pointing to showing aggravated burglaries up 12% and car thefts surging 27% in 2023 compared to pre-Labor baselines. In opposition speeches, he described the government's approach as weakening the system, leading to rates where over 50% of youth offenders reoffended within a year, and called for tougher sentencing to reverse what he termed a "crime wave" with rates at decade highs. In housing policy, Guy blamed Labor's regulatory burdens and land taxes for worsening affordability, estimating an additional $157,000 in taxes on new developments since , which stifled supply and drove median house prices above $900,000 in by 2024. He argued that policies favoring renters over owners, including short-term rental restrictions, entrenched a rental-for-life dependency, contrasting with Liberal proposals for to boost amid a shortfall of 50,000 homes annually. These critiques framed Labor's governance as ideologically driven, prioritizing intervention over market incentives, per Guy's public statements.

Controversies

Planning ministry decisions (2010–2014)

As Minister for Planning from December 2010 to December 2014, Matthew Guy frequently exercised call-in powers to approve major developments, including over 90 buildings exceeding 25,000 square metres, often overriding local councils or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). This approach, dubbed "Mr Skyscraper" by critics, aimed to facilitate urban consolidation and economic growth in but drew accusations of bypassing community input and environmental safeguards. One prominent controversy involved the Ventnor rezoning on Phillip Island. On 8 September 2011, Guy approved Amendment C58, rezoning 24 hectares of farmland for residential development comprising up to 140 lots, despite not reviewing briefing notes that highlighted opposition from Bass Coast Shire Council over environmental impacts, including proximity to a little penguin reserve. Public backlash ensued, amplified by local residents, environmental groups, federal MP Greg Hunt, and figures like Miley Cyrus, prompting Guy to revoke the approval on 22 September 2011. The affected landowner, Carley Nicholls, who had purchased the site for $2.9 million conditional on rezoning, sued the state for over $6 million in lost value. In July 2013, the government settled for $2.5 million plus over $1 million in legal costs, exceeding initial estimates of $600,000 to $1.1 million; internal notes suggested the higher payout was influenced by concerns over a potential trial damaging Guy's political career, though he denied prioritizing personal interests and described the settlement as avoiding a "lawyers' picnic." Victorian Ombudsman George Brouwer later criticized the process for inadequate consultation and documentation. The July 2012 rezoning of Fishermans Bend, a 250-hectare industrial precinct south of Melbourne's CBD, represented another flashpoint. Guy rezoned the area to Capital City Zone without a comprehensive master plan or infrastructure strategy, enabling high-density development for an estimated 50,000 residents and significant commercial space, effectively expanding the CBD's footprint. This decision, which caused land values to surge and prompted immediate high-rise permit applications, ignored departmental warnings about "suboptimal" outcomes and the need for strategic land acquisition to capture uplift for public benefit. A 2015 parliamentary inquiry labeled the rezoning unprecedented and poorly planned, contributing to later infrastructure shortfalls estimated at $340 million to taxpayers under the subsequent Labor government. Guy's high-rise approvals further fueled debate, with at least 20 inner-city towers greenlit by March 2013, including projects that overshadowed the and raised shadowing concerns over landmarks like the . These interventions, often against local objections, prioritized intensification but were criticized for eroding neighborhood amenity and controls; some rule changes facilitating such approvals were reversed by Labor's Planning Minister Richard Wynne in 2014. Additionally, 2012 rezonings in Melbourne's green wedges, which permitted subdivision in previously protected rural areas, benefited Liberal Party donors, such as owners of the Brompton Lodge estate facing potential $500 million in value gains, prompting Integrity Commissioner referrals though no wrongdoing was substantiated at the time. No formal findings of emerged from these decisions via the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) or other inquiries during or immediately after Guy's tenure, despite referrals and media scrutiny often linked to political donations. Guy maintained that his actions aligned with promoting housing supply and investment in a growing state economy.

Leadership period incidents (2014–2022)

In April 2017, during Guy's first term as Opposition Leader, he attended a at the Lobster Cave restaurant in with alleged organised crime figure Tony Madafferi and Madafferi's relatives. The event drew scrutiny after revelations that a Liberal Party insider had sought political donations from Madafferi around the same time, coinciding with Madafferi's efforts for rezoning approval on green wedge land potentially worth $120 million in development value. Guy maintained he was unaware of any donation solicitations and described the dinner as a personal invitation unrelated to party fundraising or policy influence. No formal charges or findings of impropriety against Guy emerged from the matter. In September 2017, reports emerged of a 2013-arranged "industry forum" hosted by then-Deputy Leader David Hodgett, for which a property developer paid $10,000, granting exclusive access to Guy in a private penthouse setting to discuss inner-Melbourne development plans. The event, revealed during Guy's leadership tenure, raised questions about donor access to opposition figures, though it predated his opposition role and involved no direct evidence of policy . Guy's office defended such forums as standard engagement with stakeholders, without admitting irregularities. During Guy's second leadership term, a donor reimbursement scheme proposed by his , Mitch Catlin, became public in August 2022. Catlin had suggested that a Liberal Party donor directly pay his private company $8,333 monthly—totaling approximately $100,000 annually—to cover undeclared campaign expenses incurred by parliamentary staffers during the 2018 and 2022 elections, potentially circumventing Victoria's electoral donation disclosure thresholds. Catlin resigned on August 2, 2022, amid the revelations, while Guy denied any prior knowledge or endorsement of the arrangement, stating it violated party protocols and that he had instructed Catlin to abandon it upon learning of it. The Victorian Electoral Commission referred Guy and Catlin to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) in November 2022, citing incomplete cooperation in its investigation into the proposed payments and broader Liberal Party donation practices. Guy rejected calls for his , asserting the matter did not undermine his leadership and emphasizing the party's compliance with disclosure rules for legitimate donations. As of the end of his leadership in late 2022, IBAC had not issued public findings on the referral.

Post-2022 allegations and investigations

In late 2022, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) referred Matthew Guy and his former chief of staff, Mitch Catlin, to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) for investigation into a proposed arrangement under which a Liberal Party donor would make monthly payments totaling over $100,000 to Catlin's private company, raising concerns about potential circumvention of state political donation disclosure and funding laws. The proposal, which emerged from emails and a draft sent to Guy's private email in mid-2022, involved payments of $8,333 per month for consulting services, following Catlin's resignation in August 2022 after the arrangement came to light. The VEC cited a lack of full from Guy and Catlin in its probe, including incomplete responses to requests for information, though Guy maintained he had provided all necessary details and committed no breach. Guy described the referral as politically motivated interference by the VEC during the November 2022 state campaign, a view echoed by the Liberal Party, which accused the commission of undermining the electoral process by publicizing the matter days before polling. IBAC received the referral in November 2022 and assessed information provided by Guy, including a letter outlining his position, but has not released public findings or recommendations resulting in charges or adverse determinations against him as of October 2025. In May 2025, Catlin publicly discussed the personal repercussions of the allegations, describing himself as "cancelled" due to claims of improper donor fund channeling, though he denied misconduct and highlighted the absence of formal wrongdoing findings. No further investigations or allegations directly implicating Guy in post-2022 matters have been substantiated in public records.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Matthew Guy is married to Renae Guy, a former political media advisor. The couple met while working in the office of Victorian Opposition Leader , where their relationship began as an office romance approximately 18 months before Guy's for parliament was publicly revealed. Renae Guy later relocated to for work, resulting in a period of , before returning to to take a position with federal Treasurer . Guy and his wife have three sons. The family has resided in , with Guy voting in the Bulleen electorate alongside Renae and their children during the 2022 state election. Renae Guy has been described by her husband as the "backbone" of the family and a devoted mother, providing essential support during his political career. No public details on prior relationships or have been disclosed in available records.

Public persona and interests

Guy maintains a public image as a disciplined and policy-oriented , recognized by allies for his rigorous work ethic and capacity to absorb intricate details, likened by former premier to possessing a "steel trap" mind. Supporters highlight his and savvy approach to governance, while detractors have criticized him as impulsive, particularly in light of past associations that drew scrutiny. His personal interests include bushwalking in Victorian natural sites such as , Tarra Bulga National Park, and Noojee’s Ada Tree, where he seeks escape from political demands and appreciates the natural environment, with associates noting that "he loves trees." Additional hobbies encompass and cooking, including Argentinian-style chicken dishes. Guy supports the , a passion occasionally referenced in family contexts. As a committed Christian, Guy's is informed by his Ukrainian grandparents' flight from Stalinist , fostering a staunch opposition to that underscores his political stance on individual freedoms. He frequently projects a centered on dedication in public engagements, balancing leadership demands with domestic responsibilities.

References

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  96. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-18/victorian-liberals-electoral-commission-criticism-state-election/101671902
  97. https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/vec-refers-guy-catlin-investigation-to-ibac-20221117-p5bz1p.html
  98. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/page-13/page-13-matthew-guys-cancelled-chief-of-staff-mitch-catlin-opens-up-on-long-road-back/news-story/1dc8bddf5309cf228deecc1c53d162ea
  99. https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-state-election-matthew-guy-wife-renae/76264f02-947c-4605-a16d-509a2944a5a8
  100. https://www.sheppnews.com.au/national/guy-casts-ballot-alongside-wife-and-kids/
  101. https://www.facebook.com/VicLibLeader/videos/the-woman-behind-the-guy/112776949628372/
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