SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros says damning report into sexual harassment in parliament is ‘tipping point’

Enough is enough, says Connie Bonaros, the MP at the centre of a sexual harassment storm. She says a damning report into state parliament is a “tipping point”.

“This is the tipping point,” says the state parliamentarian at the centre of a sexual harassment storm brewing since 2019.

By “this”, SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros means a damning report days ago revealing sexual and discriminatory harassment not only exists in our state’s lawmaking headquarters, but is “disturbing” and “prevalent”.

In June, former Liberal MP, now independent, Sam Duluk will face trial after being charged with assault for allegedly slapping Ms Bonaros on the behind at a Christmas function at Parliament House in 2019.

The alleged assault initiated a long-overdue inquiry into sexual harassment in state parliament. The 166-page report was handed down on Tuesday by acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner Emily Strickland with 16 recommendations for change.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros in the hallways of Parliament House, March 2021. Picture Mark Brake

Up until now, Ms Bonaros has been careful not to publicly comment on the Commissioner’s inquiry.

“There is no turning back from here – there has to be action now,” she says in her first in-depth interview since the report was released.

“This cannot be swept under the carpet – not in today’s environment and not while I’m around,” she says in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on Monday.

“We now have a clear and defined road map to get us out of this quagmire. There is no excuse for not implementing all 16 of the Commission’s recommendations.”

The report has tail-ended weeks of multiple claims of sexual abuse, including rape, and harassment in our political capital.

It has revealed at least eight victims of sexual harassment at state parliament over five years at the hands of state MPs and their staff.

Behaviours reported include: indecent exposure, wandering hands “really far up” skirts, unwelcome touching, repeated requests or pressure for sex, sexual gestures and sexually explicitly texts and emails.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros on the steps of Parliament House, North Tce, Adelaide.. Picture Mark Brake

“I’m sad but not surprised,” says Ms Bonaros of the report’s findings. “I am infuriated. I’m full of rage. And I’m extremely sorry.”

She’s sorry for the eight victims who reported sexual harassment to the Commissioner. She’s sorry there were no systems in place to support them. She’s sorry that when people did speak out, nothing happened.

“To those colleagues in denial, I say this: if you weren’t convinced this was happening around you before, there are now at least eight victims of sexual harassment in this place over the past five years, and 16 reasons … for you to wake up to yourselves and change your minds.”

So, has the report delivered Ms Bonaros some sense of vindication?

“No. I didn’t ask for this report,” she says. “I didn’t ask for any of this.”

She says she’s been “rocked to the core” by the report, especially so by its confirmation of an entrenched victim-blaming culture that continues to harm those unprotected and left behind.

The report says there are staff and MPs who condoned violence against women (including sexual harassment) and blamed Ms Bonaros for Mr Duluk’s behaviour, some saying: “it takes two to tango”, “the victim should have spoken up at the time”, “a delay in reporting must mean there was an ulterior motive” and that “people who will use anything to advance their own careers and diminish the careers of others”.

Independent MP Sam Duluk (pictured right) arrives at the Magistrates Court in December last year with lawyer Domenic Agresta. Photo: Dean Martin

Ms Bonaros says stamping out “this” workplace culture is urgently needed before any real change for our current and future female colleagues can occur.

“Woman are not to be blamed for wandering hands, indecent exposure and assault – it’s not about the clothes women wear; it’s not about what time of the day or night they are out; it’s not about whether they are consuming alcohol – stop telling women how to behave.”

Until “this” changes, she says, women will continue to feel unsafe, will be reluctant to speak up and report because the personal cost to their own health and wellbeing, that of their families, and their careers is just too high.

“I’m incensed because we know this is happening. We’ve known for a long time and we pretend that it doesn’t happen. We’re taught to stay head down and work hard – don’t ask, don’t report, don’t tell and ignore everything that happens to you and others.

“Enough is enough”.