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PRESSURE on Planning Minister Justin Madden to resign over his alleged involvement with Brimbank Council has grown, following a vote of no confidence against him in Parliament last week.

Mr Madden became the first minister in 20 years to receive a vote of no confidence or censure motion against him.

To Liberal Party cries of “resign”, Opposition Upper House leader David Davis moved the censure motion that accused Mr Madden of lying to the Parliament last month over his involvement in the Brimbank Council scandal.

The explosive ombudsman’s report found Mr Madden’s former electorate officer Hakki Suleyman had inappropriately meddled in the council’s affairs.

Mr Davis said during debate on the motion that Mr Madden had known about Mr Suleyman’s interference in the council, despite Mr Madden’s claims he had been unaware.

Mr Davis used examples of letters sent from the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association, media reports by Star and letters from Brimbank residents to Mr Madden’s office to attempt to prove that Mr Madden had been involved in the scandal. “There were a myriad of other points and opportunities the minister had to correct the problems in his officer, to deal with the political corruption in his office, to close down the corruption and to not be part of that,” Mr Davis told the Upper House last week.

The censure motion was passed 21 votes to 19 with many Greens Party members, including local MP Colleen Hartland, supporting the calls for Mr Madden’s resignation or sacking.

Mr Madden disputed the allegations made against him.

“In terms of the accusations being made about my knowledge of the particular events outlined, I refute any allegations of wrongdoing,” Mr Madden told the Parliament. “I want also to use this opportunity to absolutely reinforce in this chamber that I have not directed Mr Suleyman or anyone else in the Brimbank community to get involved in or take a position on local council matters.”

Respect the West convenor Sean Spencer said Mr Madden should be sacked immediately.

But Mr Brumby threw his full support behind Mr Madden declaring him an “excellent minister”, despite the calls for his sacking.