When Lidia Thorpe stood up to speak in the Senate on Wednesday,she set in motion a chain of events that led to Dutton’s decision less than 24 hours later.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he has removed Senator David Van from the Liberals' party room.
Almost immediately after Thorpe spoke for a second time on Thursday,Dutton stood up.
“Since the airing of Senator Thorpe’s allegation yesterday,further allegations in relation to Senator Van have been brought to my attention overnight and this morning,” Dutton said.
“As such,I met with Senator Van this morning and a short time ago I advised Senator Van of my decision that he should no longer sit in the Liberal party room.
“At the outset,I want to make clear – very clear – that I’m not making any judgment on the veracity of allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence. I make that very clear.”
Before this week,nobody had ever heard of the Liberal senator whose preselection was already in doubt due to questions about his performance.
Dutton’s announcement capped a wretched week in federal politics,the likes of which have not been seen since the dying days of the Morrison government.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was grilled in three successive questions over what she knew and when she knew about the Brittany Higgins rape allegations (which Bruce Lehrmann always denied before charges were ultimately dropped and this masthead does not suggest that the allegations are true).
Gallagher cried on Thursday as she reminded the chamber about the work done by former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins on theSet the Standardreport.
The dog days of 2021,when a dark cloud hung over the workplace that is supposed to set the standard for the country,were back.
As Thorpe spoke on Thursday,the opposition leader and his staff were grappling with reports of other allegations.
Dutton had no choice but to act. He was clear and took no questions from reporters after his statement.
He also said he had asked the newly created,independent Parliamentary Workplace Support Service to investigate the matter.
The body was a recommendation of the Jenkins report. It will be a test for its ability to investigate and deliver a finding.
The Jenkins review was supposed to draw a line under the toxic culture of Parliament House.
It was supposed to be a reset. But the last week has seemed more like back to the future.
If you or anyone you know needs support,you can contact the National Sexual Assault,Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on (1800 737 732), 131 114,or 1300 224 636.
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