Victorian MP Will Fowles returns to parliament after leave for addiction issues
A Victorian MP has returned to work after he took leave to deal with addiction and other mental health issues.
Will Fowles, 41, smashed the lower half of a door at the Abode Hotel in Canberra during an argument with staff about his luggage in July.
Mr Fowles would not answer questions from reporters about his drug-taking history when he arrived to state parliament this morning.
Victorian MP Will Fowles spoke to the media during a press conference in Melbourne. AAP/David Crosling
"The advice of my health professionals is to focus on the future and I can only focus on the future," the Member for Burwood said.
"I made a horrendous mistake and I am sorry for the harm it has done to my colleagues, my family, my friends.
"It has undoubtedly been a very difficult period."
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said she "looked forward to supporting Will in his journey".
Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles sought drug rehab after kicking in the door of a Canberra hotel. Nine
"I am appalled by the Liberal leader in the way he's attacked Will for having the courage to speak out about his issues and his challenges," she said.
"There's no member of parliament and no member of the public who've never made a mistake."
Some Victorian Liberal figures had called for Mr Fowles' resignation.
Police spoke with Mr Fowles in the wake of the hotel incident but declined to lay any charges.
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