Liberal MP Sam Duluk accused of harassment at parliament Christmas party
The Member for Waite has been revealed as the MP at the centre of a harassment complaint lodged after last year’s parliament Christmas party.
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SA-Best’s Connie Bonaros has accused Liberal MP Sam Duluk of harassment at a Parliament House Christmas party.
The Upper House MP has complained that Mr Duluk, the member for the seat of Waite, slapped her on the bottom and sent a series of unwanted text messages on the night. She has sought legal advice.
The complaint prompted Premier Steven Marshall to counsel Mr Duluk and ask him to apologise.
The alleged incident happened during festive drinks hosted by crossbench MPs in the week before Christmas.
Witnesses said Mr Marshall and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas briefly appeared at the function earlier in the evening but were not present at the time of the alleged incident.
Mr Duluk, whose electorate includes Blackwood, Mitcham, Springfield and Crafers West, had earlier attended a Liberal Party function in the dining room at Parliament House.
A State Government spokesman said in a statement: “The Premier was made aware of the alleged incident and was informed that necessary processes were being followed.
“Upon hearing of the matter, the Premier counselled the member to apologise to those involved.”
Mr Marshall did not respond to a request by The Advertiser for comment. It is not clear if any apology has been made. Mr Duluk did not return The Advertiser’s calls. In a statement to The Advertiser yesterday, Ms Bonaros confirmed she had made a complaint.
“Details have emerged in recent days that I was the victim of inappropriate incidents at a Christmas function at Parliament House a couple of weeks ago and that the perpetrator was another member of parliament,” she said.
“In the past few days, my office has been contacted by two separate media outlets about this matter.
“I had not intended to discuss this matter openly at this stage but because it has now been made public feel I must.
“I have been taking legal advice in relation to the matter and continue to consider my options. All women should feel safe in their worksite. All men should understand that their harassing conduct can have a terrible impact on how safe women feel at work.
“I’m hopeful this matter will be dealt with appropriately.”
When asked about the matter at a press conference yesterday, Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard said he had “no detail about the report” and was focusing on the Kangaroo Island fires.
Deputy Opposition leader Susan Close called on Mr Marshall to reveal more details about the alleged incident.
“As yet, we have seen no action from the Premier,” Dr Close said. “We have no idea if an investigation has been undertaken and we have no idea if he has spoken to Ms Bonaros.” In August, an Adelaide woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted while working as a political adviser in Canberra for the Liberal Party called on federal parliament to make “toxic” workplaces safer.
Chelsey Potter, 30, accused an unnamed political staffer of assaulting her during a parliamentary sitting week.
At the time, Mr Marshall said the Liberal Party “took this extraordinarily seriously”.
Ms Potter alleged a senior Liberal figure had initially been supportive of her when told of the claims but later dismissed them because the staffer was being considered for political preselection as an MP.
The Advertiser does not suggest the staffer was Mr Duluk.