South Australian state MP Sam Duluk abandons bid to access private investigator’s report into alleged behaviour at Christmas party

A politician who allegedly slapped a fellow MP on the bottom has abandoned a bid to access private documents relating to the case.

Politician Sam Duluk (right) arrives at the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday with lawyer Domenic Agresta. Picture: NCA Newswire/Dean Martin

A South Australian MP who allegedly slapped a colleague on the bottom at a parliamentary Christmas party will have his court case proceed as normal after he abandoned a bid to access the documents of a private investigator.

Former Liberal Sam Duluk, 37, was charged with assault after he allegedly inappropriately touched SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros at the event held on December 13 last year.

He had earlier argued he should be allowed access to the findings of an independent inquiry into the accusations, which was commissioned by former parliamentary speaker Vincent Tarzia.

However, a lawyer for the current speaker, Josh Teague, told the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday the documents could not be released because they were protected by parliamentary privilege.

Prosecution and defence lawyers made no challenge to that position.

“We do not seek to press against the claim of privilege,” Domenic Agresta, for Mr Duluk, told the court.

Magistrate John Fahey asked for written submissions to be filed and said he would deal with the matter administratively.

Sam Duluk (right) with lawyer Domenic Agresta. Mr Duluk is yet to plead to one count of assault. Picture: NCA Newswire/Dean Martin

Mr Duluk is yet to enter a plea to the charge, but Mr Fahey set a date for a pre-trial conference in February.

The member for Waite had his Liberal Party membership suspended after his alleged conduct was made public, and he now sits as an independent.

He has also faced allegations relating to racist and homophobic comments made at the party and an accusation that he asked a staffer to delete photos of him acting inappropriately.

Mr Tarzia in January appointed the independent investigator to look into Mr Duluk’s behaviour, but the inquiry was later brought to a halt to ensure it did not interfere with SA Police investigations.

Mr Duluk made no comment to reporters as he left court with his lawyer on Wednesday.

Originally published as South Australian state MP Sam Duluk abandons bid to access private investigator’s report into alleged behaviour at Christmas party