‘I was aware of rumours’: Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie weighs in on David Van fallout

A Nationals senator has stated she was “aware” of “rumours” surrounding the now-embattled Liberal senator David Van, as he denies allegations of sexual harassment.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has said she was “aware” of “rumours” surrounding the now-embattled Liberal senator David Van, amid multiple allegations of sexual harassment he has repeatedly denied

Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders on Sunday, Ms McKenzie said that “as always in this place” there were rumours, but she said that she was not aware of recent allegations made by former senator Amanda Stoker.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said she was “aware” of rumours concerning the conduct of ex-Liberal senator David Van. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

David Van quit the Liberal Party over the weekend in the wake of multiple sexual harassment allegations made against him, all of which he has strongly denied.

Senator McKenzie said she did not act on the rumours because she did not have “first hand” information.

“As always in this place, and the media would be well aware of this, there are rumours from time to time about certain individuals,” Senator McKenzie said.

“I was aware of rumours,” she said.

“I’ve been here for 14 years, I hear a lot of rumours and if I acted on every single one of them that would not result in the best outcome.”

“If I have first hand information I take action and I don’t listen to gossip or rumour.”

Senator David Van, who quit the Liberal Party over the weekend, has strongly denied allegations of sexual harassment. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Ms McKenzie, who is the party’s leader in the Senate, said she was unaware Mr Van had his office moved in 2021, which occurred after Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe had made a complaint against him.

“As I understand it, that was a matter between the president at the time, Scott Ryan, the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of The Greens,” she said.

Speaking under parliamentary privilege on Wednesday, Senator Thorpe said Mr Van was a “perpetrator” – an allegation which he has repeatedly denied.

He was removed from the Liberal Party room on Thursday by Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who said he had been made aware of more allegations against Mr Van.

One of them was made by former Liberal senator, Amanda Stoker.

On the weekend Senator Van quit the Liberal Party, issuing a scathing letter where accused the party of having a “wholesale disregard for due process and natural justice” while denying the allegations made against him.

Mr Van, 58, is eligible to remain in parliament until his six year term expires in 2025.

Originally published as ‘I was aware of rumours’: Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie weighs in on David Van fallout