Independent MP Geoff Brock says he’s received dozen death threats since siding with Labor
POLICE are investigating reports independent kingmaker Geoff Brock has received about a dozen death threats since choosing to support a Labor minority government.
INDEPENDENT kingmaker Geoff Brock says he has received about a dozen death threats since choosing to support a Labor minority government.
Mr Brock has reported the anonymous threats to police and urged people who have a problem with his choice to put their name to their correspondence with his office.
SA Police have confirmed they are investigating “a report into alleged abuse and threats against the Member for Frome”.
“I have had in the last few days death threats, abusive phone calls,” Mr Brock said.
“It’s not fine quite frankly, but the decision has been made.
“I don’t believe having death threats which affects myself, affects my staff and affects my family (is acceptable).
“There’s a bit of emotion out there. People think I’ve sided with one side but I’m still an independent.
“People out there, if you’ve got an issue I’m happy to discuss those with you face to face, logically but not the not-courageous way of abusive phone calls.”
Holding a press conference on the steps of Parliament House, Mr Brock also revealed he had not spoken to Liberal leader Steven Marshall since announcing that he would support Labor to form government.
He apologised to Mr Marshall for not giving him more notice at the weekend that he had decided not to back the Liberals.
Mr Brock left a voicemail for Mr Marshall minutes before appearing beside Premier Jay Weatherill on Sunday.
“The mistake I made professionally was to not ring Steven back on Saturday afternoon and I apologise to Steven for that,” he said.
“It was an oversight on my part.”
Mr Brock also has not spoken to fellow independent MP Bob Such this week.
Dr Such is believed to be in hospital and will undergo surgery tomorrow before taking about two months leave from Parliament.
“I’m looking forward to Bob returning to the Parliament,” he said.
“He is a very passionate person for his electorate and also for regional South Australia.
“Let Bob and his family get over this sickness, whatever it may be, and everybody pray for him and make sure that he gets a speedy recovery.
“Let’s get away from this issue of (potential) by-elections and goodness knows what else.”
Mr Brock said he was unaware of Dr Such’s condition but asked that his privacy be respected.
In a wideranging press conference Mr Brock also said:
HE would not join the Labor Party and would not attend Labor Caucus meetings, although he would attend Cabinet as a minister.
HE would choose his own ministerial staff ‘in the next few days” and they would not be supplied by Labor.
HE hoped to receive briefings on his regional and local government portfolios as soon as possible after being sworn in.
HE wanted to conduct a “road trip” tour of the state’s regions once settled in his role to canvass the thoughts of regional South Australians.
HE would publicly release his agreement with Premier Jay Weatherill when it was finalised.