Sam Duluk to face independent inquiry as Labor insists the Equal Opportunity Commissioner must take over
Claims of potential sexual harassment by a Liberal MP against three women will be scrutinised independently, amid calls for the Equal Opportunity Commissioner to run the inquiry.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Sam Duluk apologised for ‘any actions that caused offence’
- But then an investigation was launched into two new claims
An independent third party will formally investigate claims Liberal MP Sam Duluk engaged in inappropriate behaviour towards three women, including allegedly slapping the bottom of a fellow MP.
House of Assembly Speaker and fellow Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia said on Tuesday it was a “priority” to appoint a third party to formally investigate the claims.
But Mr Tarzia would not comment further on who would head the investigation. He said he was still seeking further advice.
Mr Duluk said he would “naturally” co-operate with any process of inquiry.
The Opposition says Mr Duluk must face an independent investigation by Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent, and be stood down during that inquiry, due to potential breaches of SA’s Equal Opportunity Act.
But as of Tuesday evening, Dr Vincent says she has not been approached by Mr Tarzia or the State Government to investigate the claims.
The Advertiser on Friday revealed claims Mr Duluk slapped the bottom of SA Best MP Connie Bonaros at a Parliament House Christmas event on December 13 and later sent her an unwanted text message.
Well-placed sources have told The Advertiser that preliminary investigations, arranged by Mr Tarzia, indicate Mr Duluk is not at fault over one of two other allegations of inappropriate behaviour with two female parliamentary staff.
At the insistence of Premier Steven Marshall, Mr Duluk apologised for his behaviour once the claims became known.
Mr Duluk has resigned as chair of the Economic and Finance Committee, resulting in a $33,000 annual pay cut.
Deputy Labor leader Susan Close said it should be investigated whether Mr Duluk had breached the Equal Opportunity Act, which states sexual harassment is unlawful.
Under the Act, sexual harassment is an unwelcome sexual advance, or an unwelcome request for sexual favours, and any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including written and verbal statements of a sexual nature.
“It will only be through a proper inquiry conducted by an independent person – the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity – that we will have any way of knowing whether that (apology and committee head withdrawal) – is a sufficient act of contrition or whether he needs to go further and consider his future as a member of parliament,” said Dr Close.
No formal complaint has been made by the parliament staffers, and Ms Bonaros is currently considering her options as well as legal advice.
Dr Vincent said sexual harassment complaints made to the EOC were confidential. She could not confirm whether a formal complaint of sexual harassment involving Mr Duluk had been made.