Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe has withdrawn comments she made in the Senate on Wednesday, when she used parliamentary privilege to accuse Senator David Van of harassment and sexual assault.
Senator Van vehemently denied the allegations made by Senator Thorpe, telling the Senate they were not true.
Senator Van had been speaking in the Senate about respectful workplaces, when Senator Thorpe interjected with the accusations. Senator Thorpe later withdrew her comments in order to comply with parliamentary standing orders.
“I’m feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence,” Senator Thorpe said as she interjected when Senator Van was speaking.
“This person harassed me, sexually assaulted me. The [then] prime minister had to remove him from his office.
“To have him talking about this today is an absolute disgrace on the whole party.”
Senator Van immediately rose to deny the allegation, saying: “I utterly reject that statement, that disgusting statement, outright.”
Senator Thorpe returned to the Senate later on Wednesday to withdraw the comments she had made, citing the need to comply with parliamentary rules. She said she would make a further comment on Thursday.
“Earlier today I made some comments in relation to another Senator,” she said. “In order to comply with parliamentary standing orders, I withdraw those remarks.”
“For the information of the Senate, I will make a further statement on the matter tomorrow.”
Senator Van has issued a statement, indicating his lawyers had contacted Senator Thorpe.
“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.”