Senior Liberals plot to remove Waite MP Sam Duluk from the partyroom as report into drunk harassment claims nears
After a second day of Parliament was dominated by scrutiny of MP Sam Duluk’s allegedly abusive behaviour, senior MPs are examining their options to cut him loose.
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- Duluk seeks forgiveness for behaviour at boozy party
- Original article: Duluk accused of harassment
- Several more allegations have since been made
Senior Liberals are canvassing options to remove besieged MP Sam Duluk from their party room, as the State Government braces for findings of an inquiry into his drunk and allegedly abusive behaviour at Parliament House.
Premier Steven Marshall faced intense scrutiny during a fiery Question Time on Thursday.
He sought to turn the tables on the Opposition, raising “multiple accusations of harassment” that were levelled during Labor’s time in power.
Parliament was dominated for a second consecutive day by Mr Duluk’s behaviour at a December 13 Christmas party that led to claims of sexual harassment and racial and homophobic comments.
Senior Liberal sources contacted by The Advertiser revealed that patience was running increasingly thin over the controversy, and that options are being examined that would allow Mr Duluk to be cut loose.
They emphasised that the party’s leadership was determined to follow due process and wait for findings of an inquiry set up by Speaker Vincent Tarzia, which is due to report by next Friday.
Mr Duluk has already resigned from a lucrative position as Economic Finance Committee chair. However, it emerged on Thursday he remains on the committee as a general member, despite last month saying that he would be “stepping aside from all my parliamentary committee positions that I hold pending the outcome of any investigations”.
A powerful senior Liberal source told The Advertiser that “even some of his (Mr Duluk’s) friends are coming to realise the situation could be untenable once the report is done”.
“There is a growing view among the party room that he is going to have to pay a higher price,” the source said.
There are also concerns in the party that conduct towards fellow Liberals on the night will feature in report findings.
Another senior Liberal said party sentiment had “shifted” in recent days about banishing Mr Duluk. “It has moved from something that hasn’t been considered, to now in the universe of possibility,” the source said. A Liberal MP said: “Colleagues are getting frustrated over how this has knocked us off course, and taking over the start of Parliament.”
It is understood the favoured option would be an ally of Mr Duluk encouraging him to voluntarily move to the crossbench as an independent.
A senior Liberal said that would leave open the chance of a later return to the fold, should Mr Duluk complete his alcohol counselling and deal with any inquiry fallout. A last resort would be a party-room vote to expel Mr Duluk. There are differing views on levels of support, with claims ranging from “near unanimous” backing for such a move to it being limited to Mr Duluk’s factional rivals.
Speaking outside Parliament, Treasurer Rob Lucas said the inquiry into Mr Duluk used the same private firm that Labor had during its time in power. Mr Lucas said there were two cases, including a former and current MP.
When Mr Marshall raised the general claim of “harassment allegations” under Labor, it was met with fury, and calls of “absolute rubbish” from MPs on the other side of the chamber, including Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas.
Labor continued to question the integrity of the inquiry, including why Mr Tarzia has oversight of which witnesses are interviewed, and the lack of certainty around its public release. Mr Marshall told Parliament he would seek a briefing from Mr Tarzia of its contents.
“I am ultimately responsible for my side of the House,” he said. “This process was put in place ... and my understanding is that there is not long to go.”
Former Liberal MP Troy Bell is on the crossbench as an independent, awaiting the outcome of court action over an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption investigation.