Greens MP Tammy Franks raises fears of secrecy, ignored evidence in investigation over Liberal MP Sam Duluk’s boozy behaviour

Witnesses contacted in an investigation of MP Sam Duluk’s boozy behaviour have been asked to keep discussions confidential.

• Sam Duluk accused of racism towards Labor’s Kyam Maher
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A key witness in the inquiry over a Liberal MP’s behaviour at a boozy Parliament House Christmas party has raised concerns it’s being conducted with worrying secrecy and at least 10 people with important evidence are being ignored.

Greens MP Tammy Franks has already provided a written account of her version of events on the evening to senior figures in Parliament. It includes claims that conservative Liberal MP Sam Duluk made sexual comments about Ms Franks to another woman.

Speaker Vincent Tarzia has triggered an inquiry led by a private investigator, and is due to receive a report within weeks that will seek to establish the veracity of claims including that Mr Duluk slapped SA Best MP Connie Bonaros on the backside at the event.

The Advertiser has obtained correspondence between Mr Tarzia and Ms Franks, which shows witnesses contacted for interview are being asked to keep those discussions confidential. The documents also show that Mr Tarzia, a Liberal colleague of Mr Duluk, has oversight of who is questioned.

Greens MP Tammy Franks has claimed Sam Duluk made sexual comments to another woman.

Sam Duluk’s conduct is being investigated.

Mr Tarzia writes: “Should the initial investigations identify further potential or suggested complainants/witnesses, the investigator will report back to me for a determination on whether they will be interviewed or not.”

“No notice of the investigation will be circulated other than my previous statements to the media and any statements made in the House,” he writes.

“To date, those people who I have contacted by letter advising them of the investigator’s details and inviting them to make contact have been identified by way of correspondence addressed to me, media reports and information conveyed to me as part of a preliminary briefing note making me aware of the allegations.”

In a separate letter to Ms Franks alerting her that the investigator would make contact, Mr Tarzia writes: “To ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained throughout the course of the external investigation, I request you not discuss any aspect of the investigation with anyone except your spouse or partner, medical practitioner, professional counsellor or legal advisers”.

The Sunday Mail yesterday aired new allegations, from rival Labor MP Justin Hanson, that Mr Duluk made “offensive comments” on the evening about Opposition Upper House Leader Kyam Maher not being “a real Aboriginal”.

Mr Maher has spoken publicly about the fact he is “an Aboriginal man”, as well as the complexities of that identity.

It is unclear if these will be included in the investigation.

Neither Mr Duluk nor Mr Tarzia, who will make a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, would comment.

Ms Franks said the investigator had no power to compel witnesses or issue sanctions, and she was aware of at least 10 people including political staff who had not been approached and should be immediately.

“The secrecy and attempt to silence witnesses concerns me greatly,” Ms Franks said.