Outcome of inquiry into claims staffer urinated in parliament office, exposed himself, during Christmas party revealed

An inquiry into an infamous Parliament House Christmas party has made its call on claims a staffer exposed his penis after urinating in an MP’s office.

An investigation into claims a political staffer urinated in the corner of an office at Parliament House and then exposed his penis while calling out “touch it” has found no evidence that the incident occurred.

However, the unnamed complainant behind the allegations was found to have been truthful during the independent investigation into their claims, the Treasury and Finance Department boss has revealed.

Meanwhile, evidence of staff behaving in a “lewd and drunken” manner was uncovered during the inquiry, but details were being kept under wraps while due process was carried out.

The findings have been put to the alleged culprit for a response, however they are no longer employed in the public sector and therefore cannot be compelled to engage.

Greens MLC Tammy Franks in parliament in November last year aired shocking claims about the alleged behaviour of an MP’s staffer during an infamous Christmas party at Parliament House in 2019.

Ms Franks said the staffer urinated in the corner of an MP’s office before turning around with his penis still exposed and calling out “touch it, touch it”.

Treasurer Rob Lucas at the time confirmed an inquiry into the allegations was underway.

He has now revealed to parliament the outcome of that probe.

“The independent investigation has found that there was no evidence that any staffer urinated in the corner of an office and then turned around and exposed himself,” he said.

“The investigation did find that there was evidence of staff behaving in a lewd and drunken manner.”

SA Parliament House. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Treasury and Finance Department chief executive David Reynolds was quizzed about the inquiry during a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday.

Ms Franks asked Mr Reynolds if the complainant was found to have been truthful.

“The independent investigator did a review of that case and provided me a report on those issues,” Mr Reynolds said.

“I don’t think there was any doubt that anybody wasn’t being truthful with them during that investigation.”

Mr Lucas on Wednesday told The Advertiser Mr Reynolds’ statement “doesn’t detract from the findings”.

“Is (Ms Franks) still standing by her accusations or does she now withdraw and apologise?” he said.

Ms Franks called for the cleaning bills and correspondence to be released for cleaning carried out in the Legislative Council offices following the party.

“I believe it would provide clarity on the issue,” she said.

The 2019 Christmas party was the same function that led to then-Liberal MP Sam Duluk being charged with basic assault after being accused of slapping the bottom of SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros.

The now-independent MP was found not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in August last year.