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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-09-09 Daily Xml
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Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:38): My question is to the Premier. Given the Premier is aware of private conversations regarding the allegations referred to yesterday, why isn't the Premier taking action? What more does the Premier need to investigate the fact that one of his staffers is alleged to have urinated in a room and exposed themselves completely inappropriately?

The Hon. V.A. CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning and Local Government) (14:38): Firstly, can I just indicate that there has been reference in a speech yesterday by the Hon. Tammy Franks about a staffer—they weren't identified as a Liberal staffer, I might say, but nevertheless, a staffer—who undertook very tawdry behaviour, allegedly, in relation to a video, which the Hon. Ms Franks had not viewed, but which she had heard about. She goes on then to discuss other rumours in the contribution that she made.

When the acting equal opportunity commissioner invited all members, including staff, to present to her, of course, she invited that survey of invitation to be on a confidential basis. I think eight or nine formal submissions were received and she has outlined these significantly in this speech. But she has made it also very clear that they would be confidential matters.

I think it's important to remember, and I have said this to the house before, if someone feels they are a victim in a circumstance—whether it's a criminal matter, in which case they have an option to go to the police, or whether they are a victim of racial discriminatory behaviour, which is highlighted in this report, or sexual harassment, which is highlighted in this report—there is a process they can undertake on a confidential basis. So confidential is it, I just remind members, that the Equal Opportunity Act requires that even the lodgement of a complaint in relation to that is not something that the commissioner can publish. That is, they can't say whether they have even received a complaint or not, so that's how strict the law is in relation to that.

So it is important, as has occurred, that is, that political parties—and again, I have written to political parties on this matter—ensure that they have as best as they can a process of a complaints procedure by means upon which they will provide support to people who feel aggrieved in any of these areas. I am certainly satisfied, and the Premier has made statements on this, that the Liberal Party of Australia (SA Division) is certainly up to speed with that, and I think formally since the beginning of last year has had formal practices, and I understand the Australian Labor Party have progressed in that regard. I haven't seen their practices but I understand they have, and it's important that they do. I have also invited them to consider to the parliamentary committee that that be included.

But I think it's important to understand here that it is entirely a matter for the person who is aggrieved in this situation to have the privilege of confidentiality in relation to these matters. If he or she or any of the complainants here—that is, in this report or indeed by Ms Franks—wish to take this further, then again I advise the parliament I am happy to try to assist that. I think even you did, sir, in the statement you made earlier in the week about options that may be taken up. That is the purview of the victims.

We have heard from Ms Franks. She has outlined what she has heard and she believes there is some video and there are some rumours out there. It's absolutely fine for her to tell the parliament that. A number of these matters are already covered in this report and the acting equal opportunity commissioner has been very clear in her recommendations which I indicate we are taking up.

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