Liberal MP Sam Duluk seeks forgiveness for behaviour during boozy night in Parliament House
Liberal MP Sam Duluk says he will co-operate with an investigation into his behaviour at Christmas functions. But Speaker Vincent Tarzia says there is only so much he can do.
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- Sam Duluk accused of harassment at parliament Christmas party
- Duluk seeks professional help over alcohol use
- Accused of racism towards Labor’s Kyam Maher
- Accused of making homophobic comments at party
Besieged Liberal MP Sam Duluk has pledged he is on a “journey of recovery” as State Parliament returned for the first time since accusations of sexual harassment, homophobia and racism were levelled against him.
The member for Waite once regarded as a rising star of the Liberal Party, requested forgiveness for his behaviour in Parliament House before Christmas.
Mr Duluk’s statement on the opening day overshadowed Premier Steven Marshall’s bid for a fresh start for the parliamentary year.
“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 said.
“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.”
Earlier in the day, Speaker Vincent Tarzia backed his investigation into allegations Mr Duluk slapped SA Best MP Connie Bonaros on the bottom, and made sexist, racist and homophobic comments on December 13 in Parliament House.
But the statements of both Mr Tarzia and Mr Duluk will set up fresh attacks by the State Opposition today over how the issue has been handled by Premier Steven Marshall. Ms Bonaros yesterday maintained her silence on the matter.
Mr Duluk did not join elected members in the Upper House for Governor Hieu Van Le’s opening speech, which outlined Mr Marshall’s vision for the rest of the current term of parliament.
However, in a statement to the House of Assembly about 4.30pm, before Question Time, Mr Duluk again apologised for his actions.
Mr Duluk said he had consumed too much alcohol at Christmas functions at Parliament House before he made an error of judgment to join several parliamentary colleagues for further drinks.
Mr Duluk did not refer to accusations about alleged homophobic remarks, raised this week by Greens MP Tammy Franks, or an accusation that he made a racist comment about Labor MP Kyam Maher, which was made by Labor Upper House MP Justin Hanson.
“He was clearly heavily intoxicated,” Mr Hanson told the Sunday Mail.
“We were talking about the end-of-life-choices parliamentary committee, of which he is a member, when he started making offensive comments about … Kyam Maher.
“What shocked me most was Mr Duluk’s claim that Kyam was ‘not a real Aboriginal’. I found these remarks not only grossly offensive, but clearly racist and immediately told him he was out of line.”
In a sign that Labor is preparing to focus its attention on Mr Marshall on Thursday, most of the focus of Question Time was on Mr Tarzia.
The Opposition raised numerous concerns about the scope of the investigation, what witnesses will be called, whether Mr Duluk would be consulted on the witness list and whether the findings of the investigations will be released publicly.
Opposition deputy leader Susan Close said the integrity of the probe by a private investigator had been further undermined by the Speaker refusing to say if he consulted with the Premier or Mr Duluk about the investigation.
Mr Tarzia remained tight-lipped. “I am not going to comment on who is in, who is out, or anything like that,” he said, referring to the witness list.
He had told Parliament earlier he was limited in his capacity to deal with the matter. However, he has said that other options, including police or the Equal Opportunity Commissioner, were open to potential complainants.
Mr Tarzia said allegations from staff members would have to be submitted in writing to Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent.
But he said: “Sexual harassment of a member of parliament against another member of parliament is not unlawful conduct for the purposes of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.”
Mr Tarzia said there also was an option to do nothing about the allegations.
“I did not think nothing was an option,” he said.
“I feel it is necessary to undertake some investigations so that I can form a preliminary view as to whether the allegations … are well founded.” He said neither the investigator nor himself had the power to compel someone to come forward.
“While I undertake this course of action (the investigation) there is nothing preventing any aggrieved person making a complaint to any relevant authority, such as the South Australian Police.”