Liberal Party, Sexual Assault Allegations

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:07): Supplementary question to the Premier or, indeed, the deputy: since the Deputy Premier identified this as being an issue or an allegation of an event that occurred within the federal jurisdiction, why did the Deputy Premier feel the need or feel it appropriate to contact Ms Chelsey Potter?

Mr Pederick interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hammond is called to order. We have the question. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General) (14:08): I think it's very important that as Ms Potter, in my case, is known to me and has made a valuable contribution, that it is consistent with other occasions in which someone has identified a circumstance of which they have expressed some disquiet or anger, angst or concern. It's not the first time I have done it and it's not the last time—and it's not the first time I have done it in relation to just Liberal people.

I think there are circumstances, and there have certainly been in the time that I have been here in the parliament, where I have had brought to my attention persons, usually women, in a circumstance where they have felt compromised in some way in their workplace. There have been members of other political parties; I treat them no differently, and I will not be making any difference in the future.