Sam Duluk scandal set to block Marshall’s reboot plans
Steven Marshall new year’s resolutions are in trouble early as parliament returns with the Opposition setting its sights squarely on Sam Duluk’s sex harassment scandal.
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Premier Steven Marshall’s bid to reset his first term in government will be dominated by the Sam Duluk affair with the Opposition declaring it its number one priority for the first sitting week of 2020.
State parliament will resume next week where Mr Marshall will start the reboot on key election pledges including rate-capping, deregulated shop trading hours and allowing GM crops in SA.
However, his handling of accusations that Liberal MP Sam Duluk behaved inappropriately at a Christmas function at Parliament House, will be the key focus of the State Opposition.
Mr Duluk has been accused of slapping the bottom of SA Best MP Connie Bonaros and making inappropriate comments to others.
He has apologised for his behaviour on the night and confirmed he is seeking help on issues with alcohol.
But a raft of questions are still to be addressed by the Premier including what offences he believes to be serious enough to warrant expulsion from the Liberal Party and what exactly has Mr Duluk apologised for.
Speaker Vincent Tarzia has enlisted experienced private investigator Paul Hocking from Quark and Associates for an inquiry looking into the incidents.
But it is still unclear when the investigation will be concluded and the exact scope of the investigation.
Mr Marshall refused to be drawn on unanswered questions yesterday.
“The Speaker has initiated an independent investigation into this matter which is currently underway.” he said.
Mr Tarzia told the Advertiser he would “make a statement to the house on day one regarding the matter” but did not provide any further detail as to when the investigation will be finished.
Opposition government accountability spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said Mr Marshall has not done enough to deal with the matter.
“This is going to be our sole focus,” Mr Koutsantonis said.
“We have a responsibility … to make sure no one is above the law – especially not Parliamentarians,” he said.
“We have to hold the government to account for protecting Sam Duluk.”
If Mr Duluk was to be dumped as a Liberal Party MP Mr Marshall would lose his absolute majority on the floor of the House of Assembly.
Such a move would mean he would have to rely on the support of a crossbench MP after Mr Tarzia previously confirmed he would vote with the status quo – making it not possible to pass controversial legislation.