Former Central Coast MP Lucy Wicks revealed as woman who made ‘abusive’ text complaint

Radio broadcaster Ben Fordham has defended the decision to reveal the former MP who made a formal complaint after a tirade of abusive text messages from a current NSW MP.

Former federal MP Lucy Wicks and NSW MP Taylor Martin in a photo posted to Facebook. Picture: Supplied

Radio broadcaster Ben Fordham has defended the decision to reveal it was former Federal MP Lucy Wicks who lodged a written complaint to the Liberal Party, alleging NSW MP Taylor Martin sent her abusive texts over a period of several years.

“I’m not in the business of suppressing information,” the 2GB radio host said on Tuesday morning.

“The language (in the texts) is degrading and disgusting.

“I can’t imagine any Liberal leader promoting Taylor Martin anytime soon… and they may even decide he’s not fit to remain in the Liberal Party.”

On Monday it was revealed a tirade of abusive text messages was the result of the break-up of a relationship between Ms Wicks and Mr Martin, a former staff member who is 18 years her junior.

Lucy Wicks. Picture: Annika Enderborg

Taylor Martin MLC. Picture: Supplied

Liberal leader Mark Speakman said he spoken with Mr Martin last week but declined to say when he had first been aware of the texts.

“The formal complaint was received a week earlier but beyond that I don’t want to give a running commentary,” he said.

Liberal deputy leader Natalie Ward said she had personally never heard Mr Martin use and language to a woman.

“I have never heard him speak in that way, I have never heard him use that language,” she said.

Fordham described the text messages as “abhorrent”.

“It’s a grubby look for an MP to be sending messages of this nature to anyone - let alone a woman,” he said.

“And if you speak to women that way, you need to learn a harsh lesson.

“The Liberal Party needs to get a hold of this.”

Ben Fordham called the text messages degrading. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Mr Martin has denied any wrongdoing and has vowed the “truth will come out”.

“The party has appointed a Senior Counsel to conduct a review, I’m confident that the truth will come out through the process and I will be co-operating fully,” Mr Martin said.

A source familiar with the matter told The Daily Telegraph the pair Mr Martin was 25 years old when he started working as an electorate officer in Ms Wicks' office on the Central Coast in 2016. 

Taylor Martin and Lucy Wicks in a photo on her Facebook page.

In the 45th parliament register of members’ interests from 2016 and 2017, Ms Wicks refers to a spouse, but in the 2019 register, Ms Wicks adds that she is “recently divorced and in the process of finalising settlement arrangements with my former spouse.”

In February 2019 she announced she was splitting from her husband after the pair had been separated for two years.

In a statement released by Ms Wicks yesterday, the former member for Robertson claimed the complaint related to abuse “spanning more than five years”.

“I am distressed today to learn that I have been named by Radio 2GB as the person who made a formal and confidential complaint regarding abuse by a NSW Member of parliament spanning more than five years.

“My complaint to the Liberal Party was in relation to serious concerns including behaviour in the workplace, in the party and in political interactions.

In a statement released by Ms Wicks yesterday, the former member for Robertson claimed the complaint related to abuse “spanning more than five years”.

“It includes allegations that I … received hundreds of demeaning, degrading, and abusive texts.

“During that five-year period, I was continually exposed to highly aggressive barrages of verbal abuse, which included threats to destroy my reputation if I spoke up.

“I am beyond distressed that I have had to disclose even a small portion of these details. I sought to create a confidential process that would enable natural justice and provide me with safety as I navigate this process.

“I would be grateful if the media would respect my privacy at this time.”

The complaint relates to a series of foul-mouth text messages which included Ms Wicks being called a “c–t”.

On Sunday, Mr Martin revealed he was the MP in question, telling The Sunday Telegraph there were “two sides to every story”.

Mr Martin, elected to the NSW Upper House in 2017, also told Sky News he was “young and inexperienced” at the time of the relationship had found himself “involved in a situation that was way beyond me.”

He said there were “heated words” during the parting of ways that he said he “sincerely” regretted.

The NSW Liberal Party released a statement yesterday declining to provide commentary on the investigation as it “could deny procedural fairness to those involved”.

Mr Taylor is also understood to have raised his concerns with the Department of Finance, who suggested mediation.

The Sunday Telegraph has confirmed that Mr Martin did not raise any complaints about Ms Wicks while working with her.

Ms Wicks was contacted for comment.