Rory Amon charged with 10 alleged child sex offences - resigns from Office of MP for Pittwater
A lawyer representing Mr. Amon initially applied for a suppression order on Friday, which would have prevented publication of the case, but later withdrew the application.
NSW Police released a statement at 12:30pm listing 10 charges:
''A man has been charged following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
In June 2022, Detectives attached to Northern Beaches Police Area Command commenced an investigation following reports of an alleged sexual assault in Mona Vale in July 2017.
Police were told a teenage boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man – who was known to him - at an address in Mona Vale.
In March 2023, Strike Force NOORAL was established to investigate the incident.
Following extensive inquiries, a 35-year-old man was arrested at Manly Police Station about 6am today (Friday 30 August 2024).
He was charged with five counts have sexual intercourse with person over 10 and 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 man was given strict conditional bail to appear at Manly Local Court on 18 September 2024.
Inquiries are continuing.''
By 3pm Friday Mr. Amon had resigned from the seat of MP for Pittwater as well as the Liberal party. Mr. Amon's Social Media pages had been removed during the past 2 hours. Mr. Amon's website was still up but has since been made a blank white webpage.
Community Schools and Sports Groups had also removed all photos they had placed on social media platforms of Mr. Amon with either themselves or children by mid Friday afternoon.
Later on Friday August 30 2024, local church leaders were reminding residents National Child Protection Week takes place from Sunday, 1 September through to 7 September and to immediately contact the police if they are aware of any acts of child abuse.
In a statement, Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said he had asked for Mr Amon's immediate resignation after learning of the "extremely serious" charges.
"The alleged conduct strikes at the heart of the standards expected of Members of Parliament," Mr Speakman said.
“Upon learning of these charges, I asked for and received Mr Amon’s immediate resignation from the Liberal party [and] the NSW parliament.”
"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."
NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman had appointed Mr. Amon as assistant shadow minister for the portfolios of Infrastructure, Transport, Roads and Youth.
Later on Friday afternoon Mr. Amon denied all charges, saying he would make his case before the courts and "not in the media", and that he had resigned as the member for Pittwater.
"The nature of the charges against me are such that I will be unable to continue to fully represent my community in parliament," he said in a statement.
"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."
Mr. Amon was a Northern Beaches Council councillor prior to standing for the seat of Pittwater, representing 'Narrabeen Ward' on the newly minted council resulting from the forced amalgamation of councils by the former coalition government. Mr. Amon was a 'Narrabeen ward' councillor from 2017 to 2021 and a 'Pittwater Ward' from 2021 to 2023.
At the 2023 State Elections the result for the seat for Pittwater, which was not announced immediately, eventually declared 22,759 for Independent candidate Jacqui Scruby, 49.34%, and 23,365 for Mr. Amon, 50.66% - or 606 votes and just over 1% difference.
Ms Scruby conceded to Mr. Amon on Friday March 31st 2023.
Unlike new MP for Wakehurst Michael Regan, Mr. Amon resigned from his position on council after his election to a State seat. As Mr. Amon was grouped with the Liberal Party, which secured 8,245 above the line votes in the 2021 Council elections, the role opened for second on that ticket, Karina Page, in what became a countback election. Mr Amon had secured 684 votes for him alone as part of the overall 9,042 Liberal Group total, Ms Page secured 68 votes.
Ms Page subsequently stepped into the role as a councillor on the NBC in May 2023. Ms Page was among Liberal candidates who were going to stand for a position on council again prior to a failure by the State Liberal secretariat to lodge documents on time.
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Mr. Amon’s resignation will mean a third Liberal party generated byelection since the 2023 State Election. Epping and Hornsby will go to the polls on October 19 after the resignations of former Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet and former Liberal Treasurer Matt Kean. A poll for Pittwater may be attempted at the same time, meaning locals will visit voting booths two months in a row and have just weeks to hear from those who would stand for the seat.
Mr. Amon was MP for Pittwater for 1 year and 5 months.
The Australian Federal Police state that members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE. If abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call the police immediately on 000.
The Child Protection Helpline is a telephone service offering assistance if you have concerns for a child in NSW: 13 21 11 (Operates 24/7).
If you or anyone you know needs help, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (lifeline.org.au), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service (1800RESPECT) on 1800 737 732, or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.