Steven Marshall stands by new Libs’ young gun David Speirs over $50,000 bullying and harassment claim
TAXPAYERS forked out $50,000 to settle a bullying and harassment claim filed against newly installed state Liberal frontbencher David Speirs by a former female staffer.
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TAXPAYERS have forked out around $50,000 to settle a bullying and harassment claim filed against newly installed Liberal frontbencher David Speirs by his former office manager.
However, despite the size of the payout, Mr Speirs claimed the allegations filed against him were “untrue’’.
Liberal leader Steven Marshall is standing by his man, confirming to The Advertiser he was aware of the “matter’’ before he promoted Mr Speirs to Shadow Cabinet this week.
“None of the facts concerning that matter suggest David would be anything other than a capable Shadow Minister and future Minister,’’ he said.
The case against Mr Speirs was settled late last year in the Industrial Relations Commission. However, a strict confidentiality clause written into the settlement means The Advertiser is unable to reveal any further details of the case or the agreed $50,000 settlement.
However, it is believed the complaint by Mr Speirs’ former electorate office manager Helen Dwyer related to allegations of bullying and harassment. The case was heard under the title “Department of Treasury and Finance v Helen Dwyer”. Electorate office staff are employed by the department. A Treasury spokesperson confirmed the matter had been settled.
“The employee was the Office Manager for the Member for Bright, David Speirs MP,’’ the spokesperson said.
“In 2016, the staffer commenced proceedings in the SA Industrial Relations Commission against the employer and the matter was resolved by way of agreement between the parties. The details of the agreement are subject to terms of confidentiality and material contained on the personal files of staff cannot be released due to privacy obligations.’’
Mr Speirs, pictured above with Steven Marshall, said the “settlement that was reached is a private matter between the Department and the former staff member; it does not involve me’’. In his maiden speech to Parliament in May 2014, Mr Speirs praised the contribution of Ms Dwyer to his campaign to win the seat of Bright in the March election.
“ ... My always there campaign secretary Helen Dwyer, whose endless energy and boundless optimism kept us going,’’ he said.
Through her lawyers, PGC Legal, Ms Dwyer declined to comment for this story.
Mr Speirs was this week elevated to Mr Marshall’s front bench, taking the portfolios of Environment and Water.
The Liberal leader has previously taken a tough line on allegations of bullying.
On November 20 last year, Mr Marshall tweeted: “If one of my Cabinet colleagues abused their work colleagues, I’d dismiss them. Jay Weatherill won’t.’’
Coincidentally, Mr Marshall’s tweet followed Environment Minister Ian Hunter’s foul-mouth tirade at ministers from interstate, including Dep-uty Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, at Rigoni’s restaurant in the city. Mr Hunter is now Mr Speirs’ counterpart.
Mr Marshall said Mr Speirs and fellow newcomer Stephan Knoll would bring new ideas and energy to his team.
“I’m looking forward to the intelligent and hardworking approach David will bring to his new role,” he said. The first-term MP also gained a degree of notoriety last year after a speech in which he lashed Labor ministerial advisers as lazy and overweight — and having a fondness for small bars.
“(They are) usually underqualified and overly confident, largely aged 25 to 35 (and) characterised by having the login details of multiple fake Twitter accounts,’’ he said in the parliamentary spray.
The Advertiser had applied to view the case file of the settlement but Industrial Relations Commissioner Paul McMahon turned down the request after consulting lawyers for both parties.
“I do not consider that it would encourage public confidence in the confidentiality of the conciliation procedures of the Commission if access to the file was provided to an external party,’’ Mr McMahon said.