SA Best MP Connie Bonaros outlines blowback from Sam Duluk complaint
SA Best MP Connie Bonaros has revealed the emotional impact the Sam Duluk saga has had on her. She has also raised concerns about the handling of the issue.
SA News
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SA Best MP Connie Bonaros has hit out at Liberal Party MPs over how they reacted to her sexual harassment complaint against one of their fellow MPs.
Ms Bonaros said in South Australian Parliament on Thursday she had felt humiliated, angered and distressed, and accused many MPs of ignoring her following the incident.
The comments were made as she threw her support behind new rules that would ensure sexual harassment between MPs would be covered under the state’s equal opportunity laws.
Ex-Liberal MP Sam Duluk will appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court in October after being formally charged with assaulting Ms Bonaros at a Christmas function in Parliament House.
It is alleged Mr Duluk placed one arm around Ms Bonaros’ waist and had then allegedly slapped her on the bottom lightly.
He apologised for his actions before being kicked out of the party by the Premier Steven Marshall.
Mr Duluk said on Thursday “As this is subject to a matter before the Courts, I am not in a position to make a public statement.”
Ms Bonaros gave kudos to Attorney-General Vickie Chapman for introducing new laws that she said had first been floated 24 years ago.
But she raised concerns about the lack of regard paid to her following the complaint she made earlier in the year.
“There was no regard for the fact that fronting up to my workplace, the place where I work, was humiliating and distressing, especially when, for a long time, so many members of the opposition treated me like I was to blame for everything that had happened in their own political party,” she said.
“In fact, it was worse than that: they just ignored me, and many of them continue to do so today.”
Ms Bonaros also raised concerns about Speaker of the House, Vincent Tarzia’s handling of the matter.
“As for the Speaker of the house, let me make it abundantly clear for the record: at no point, not once, has he bothered to approach me and speak to me personally about the conduct of one of his members,” she said.
“These are not disparaging remarks; this is fact.
“He has spoken about me, but he has not spoken to me.
“Again, these are not disparaging remarks; they are fact, and it goes to the heart of the bill that we are dealing with today.”
The Advertiser attempted to contact Mr Tarzia.
In January Mr Tarzia announced the appointment of private investigator Paul Hocking, of Quark and Associates, to conduct and investigation and provide him with a report into the conduct.