Private investigation into MP Sam Duluk over alleged bad behaviour at parliamentary Christmas party put on hold
A private inquiry into scandal-hit MP Sam Duluk’s actions at a drunken Christmas party has been delayed over a police probe – as Waite branch Liberal members defend him.
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A private investigator’s probe into former Liberal MP Sam Duluk’s behaviour at a Parliament House Christmas party has been put on hold pending police action.
In a statement to Parliament on Tuesday, Speaker Vincent Tarzia said he had directed the inquiry by Quark and Associates’ Paul Hocking be paused.
It follows confirmation on Friday that police have reported Mr Duluk on a count of basic assault, following a complaint from SA Best MP Connie Bonaros.
It has been alleged Mr Duluk slapped Ms Bonaros on the behind.
On the same evening, rival MPs have also claimed that he made racist and homophobic comments.
It has also been alleged he used crude sexual language toward a female staffer.
Mr Tarzia’s investigation had been due to report on Friday.
On Tuesday, he told Parliament he did not want to compromise the police inquiry.
“I wish to provide the House with an update concerning the independent investigation into the alleged behaviour of the member for Waite on the 13th of December,” Mr Tarzia said.
“I have been informed that SA Police have reported the member for Waite for basic assault.
“I have therefore suspended the independent investigation and directed the investigator to halt the process of undertaking any further interviews or sending any witnesses copies of their statements. I have suspended the independent investigation to avoid any potential interference with the police investigation.”
It comes as the Waite Liberal sub-branch threw its support behind the embattled MP, in a move that could inflame old tensions within the party.
At a meeting on Monday night, the party moved a motion to note Mr Duluk’s apology to parliament “and subsequent actions” in relation to his alleged behaviour at a parliamentary Christmas party last December.
Mr Duluk has been reported by police for basic assault after a complaint by SA Best MP Connie Bonaros who says Mr Duluk allegedly slapped her backside.
He has also been accused of making racial and homophobic comments.
On Monday, Greens MP Tammy Franks claimed Mr Duluk demanded that a photograph of him be deleted at a drunken Christmas party at Parliament House.
In a recording obtained by ABC Radio Adelaide, longstanding Liberal Party member John Hepworth said the motion was “in the light of the fact that Sam behaved and then apologised in, I thought, rather beautiful words, apologised again to the parliament”.
“In Sam’s behaviour, I found, you make a mistake and then do the right thing and then the right thing and then the right thing. So I seek to reflect this here (with the motion)”.
The motion was passed but not unanimously, with former Dean Brown government minister Wayne Matthew cautioning branch members against the move.
“The Premier has gone out over the weekend and made some very strong statements,” Mr Matthew said.
“The Premier is on the record as having said that he is disappointed in Sam for not fully disclosing all of the things that occurred.
“Because the Premier has made that statement, if this goes to (the SA Liberal Party) State Executive, if it becomes public as inevitably it probably will, then it would appear that the Waite SEC (State Electoral Committee) is in conflict with the Premier.
“I’ve got the highest regard for John Hepworth, we’ve known each other for many years and I know John’s done this for honourable reasons to show some support for Sam, but it could actually be like throwing him a life rope with an anchor instead of a lifebuoy. I don’t think he needs that.”
Opposition government accountability spokesman Tom Koutsantonis said the remarks showed “simply extraordinary open factional warfare in the Liberal Party”.