Catherine Cumming

Catherine Rebecca Cumming is a former Australian politician. She was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from November 2018 to November 2022, representing the Western Metropolitan Region.[1] She stood at the 2018 Victorian state election as a candidate for Derryn Hinch's Justice Party, but broke with the party just weeks after being elected, and was sworn in as an independent.[2] A frequent speaker at anti-COVID vaccine rallies, Cumming joined the Angry Victorians Party in 2022 but was unsuccessful in her re-election attempt, gaining just 0.57% of the vote.[3]

Catherine Cumming
MLC
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Western Metropolitan Region
In office
24 November 2018 – 26 November 2022
Councillor for the City of Maribyrnong
In office
November 1998 – November 2018
Personal details
Political partyAngry Victorians (2022–2023)
Other political
affiliations		Independence Party (2022)
Independent (before 2018, 2018–2022)
Justice (2018)
EducationVictoria University, Doctor of Chinese Medicine.

Before entering the Victorian Parliament, Cumming was a local councillor at the City of Maribyrnong, including two terms as mayor.[4]

According to The Age, between November 2018 and November 2021, Cumming voted with the Andrews Government's position 38% of the time, one of the least of any Legislative Council crossbencher.[5]

Career

In July 2019, it was reported that Cumming had hired her children, other relatives, and a friend to work as her electorate office staff. Despite doing this, she stated that the practice of hiring close associates as staff should be disallowed.[6]

In 2021, Cumming was a frequent attendee at Victorian anti-vaccination rallies.[7]

On 19 November 2022, Cumming declared at an anti-lockdown rally that she wished for Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews to be turned into a "red mist". These comments were denounced by both Andrews and leader of the Victorian opposition Matthew Guy, and led to the Victoria Police opening an investigation into Cumming for alleged promotion of violence.[8][9]

Ahead of the 2022 Victorian state election, Cumming set up the Independence Party.[10] The party was not successful in getting registered, and in November she joined the Angry Victorians Party.[11] Cumming failed to be re-elected, getting 0.57% of the vote in her region.[12]

References
  1. "Western Metropolitan Region". Victoria Votes. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  2. Carey, Adam (18 December 2018). "'The Bernardi syndrome': Hinch cuts upper house MP from Victorian team". The Age. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  3. "Western Metropolitan Region Results - VIC Election 2022". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  4. Willingham, Richard (18 December 2018). "Derryn Hinch's Justice Party loses one of its three Victorian Upper House MPs". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  5. Sakkal, Paul (26 November 2021). "'Is this what compliant looks like?': Victoria's crossbench conflict". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  6. "This Victorian MP is paying her teenage children and friends to be her staff". 3aw.com.au. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  7. "Crowds boo MP Catherine Cummings at anti-vaccines rally". News.com.au. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  8. Cowie, Tom (19 November 2022). "Police investigate Victorian MP over Daniel Andrews 'red mist' comments at freedom rally". The Age. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  9. "Police investigating reports of incitement after independent MP's Daniel Andrews comments". ABC News. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  10. "MP claims Victorian Electoral Commission called security on her at their building in Melbourne". 6newsau.com. 6 News Australia. 21 October 2022.
  11. "Victoria Decides: Your guide to the legislative council & group voting tickets". 6 News Australia. 6 News Australia. November 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  12. "Western Metropolitan Region Results - VIC Election 2022". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.


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