Besieged MP Sam Duluk to face assault charge in October
Besieged MP Sam Duluk will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in October formally charged with assaulting fellow MP Connie Bonaros.
SA News
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Ex-Liberal MP Sam Duluk will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in October after being formally charged with assaulting fellow MP Connie Bonaros.
Mr Duluk is now taking advice and has engaged high-profile barrister Marie Shaw QC to represent him.
The major development follows a lengthy adjudication of the Eastern Adelaide CIB investigation file into the alleged incident at a Parliamentary Christmas party.
Lawyers acting for Mr Duluk have accepted a summons which outlines the factual case against him. He will answer the charge on October 6.
It is understood a statement of facts outline details the incident in which Mr Duluk allegedly placed one arm around Ms Bonaros’ waist and had then allegedly slapped her on the bottom lightly.
In February The Advertiser revealed police launched their investigation after Ms Bonaros lodged an official complaint over the incident because she was frustrated at the lack of action being taken against Mr Duluk by Premier Steven Marshall and the Liberal Party after the allegations were made public.
On January 3, The Advertiser revealed Mr Duluk had been accused of slapping Ms Bonaros on the bottom and further accusations of a racist remark and homophobic comments have emerged from the same function.
On January 17, Speaker Vincent Tarzia announced the appointment of private investigator Paul Hocking, of Quark and Associates, to conduct and investigation and provide him with a report into the conduct.
In state parliament on February 4, Mr Duluk asked his colleagues for “forgiveness’’ for his behaviour.
“In reflecting on my behaviour, in seeking forgiveness and in proactively receiving professional help, I believe that I have begun a journey of recovery,” he told parliament.
“I assure the House that I intend to co-operate with the inquiry process underway.
“I have sought, and I am receiving, professional help in both combating alcohol use and dealing with the disappointment and distress that I have caused to those that have supported me and continue to support me.”
On February 14 Advertiser.com revealed police had launched their investigation and later that day police reported Mr Duluk for assault.
Mr Marshall barred Mr Duluk from the Liberal Party room just hours after police reported Mr Duluk for assault.
Following the move by police to report Mr Duluk for assault, his lawyers wrote to Mr Tarzia asking that the private investigator’s inquiry into Mr Duluk’s conduct be halted so as not to compromise the criminal process. Mr Tarzia suspended that inquiry.
Mr Duluk is currently classified as an independent MP after voluntarily suspending his membership of the Liberal Party the day he was reported by police.
If convicted Mr Duluk will be legally entitled to continue sitting in state parliament because the charge does not meet the threshold to disqualify him.
Under the Constitution Act a range of circumstances exist under which an MPs seat is declared vacant that include being of unsound mind, becoming bankrupt and being convicted of an indictable offence.
Basic assault is only a minor indictable offence that carries a maximum two year prison term.
When contacted through his lawyer yesterday Mr Duluk declined to comment.