June 14th 2023.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe used parliamentary privilege to accuse Liberal Senator David Van of sexual assault and harassment, a claim which he has "utterly rejected".
This accusation was made during a speech by Van in the Senate about the handling of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations. Thorpe interjected, calling out "perpetrator" and "you can talk".
Senate Deputy President Andrew McLachlan asked Thorpe to stop, but she instead rose on a point of order.
"I'm feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence," she said.
McLachlan then asked Thorpe to withdraw the "inappropriate" comment, but instead, she continued.
"I can't because this person harassed me, sexually assaulted me and the Prime Minister had to remove him from his office," she said.
"And to have him talking about this today is an absolute disgrace, on the whole party."
Given the floor again, Van labelled the accusation as "disgusting".
"I utterly reject that statement, that disgusting statement, outright. It is just a lie and I reject it," he said.
He later released a statement further denying the allegations.
"In the chamber today, Senator Thorpe made unfounded and completely untrue allegations against me that I immediately and unequivocally denied and continue to deny," he said.
"These outrageous and reprehensible comments were made by Senator Thorpe using parliamentary privilege in the most malicious and despicable way.
My lawyers have written to her already making my position clear in the strongest possible terms."
McLachlan said the matter would be referred to Senate President Sue Lines.
It is important to remember that support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT. No one should ever have to face this type of situation alone.
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