Senator David Van sex harassment allegations deflate Lib’s dogged attacks on Labor

Liberal’s fierce questioning of Labor Minister Katy Gallagher earlier this week fast lost oxygen when one of their own was accused of sexual harassment.

Liberal senator David Van has been urged to resign over allegations he sexually harassed three women. Picture: Mick Tsikas.

The Liberal Party didn’t miss a beat in keeping the heat on Finance Minister Katy Gallagher on Friday over what she knew and when about Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation.

This was despite Senator David Van being missing from the chamber, after returning to Melbourne amid allegations of sexual harassment from three women.

The opposition had started the sitting week with their dogged line of questioning, determined to prove the Senator Gallagher misled the parliament, after leaked text messages last week revealed Ms Higgins’ partner had told Senator Gallagher about the alleged incident a few days before The Project interview aired.

Senator Gallagher in 2021 had told a Senate Estimates hearing that “no one had any knowledge” and the Coalition did not relent, despite being accused of weaponsing Ms Higgins claims.

Senator Lidia Thorpe in the Senate at Parliament House. Picture: Martin Ollman.

But their attacks quickly lost oxygen, when independent Senator Lidia Thorpe interjected a speech by little-know Victorian Senator David Van on Wednesday afternoon.

Senator Van, who insiders claim had taken to spruiking his surprise Senate seat win in 2019, had been speaking about the need to make parliament safer for women when Senator Thorpe accused him of sexual assault and harassment – both which he strenuously denies.

The Victorian public affairs consultant who had his own business turned heads last year when he went to war-torn Ukraine against the Australian travel advice.

But the tables turned when former LNP senator Amanda Stoker went public with her allegations that he allegedly squeezed her bottom twice at an informal social event in a parliamentary office.

Peter Dutton on Thursday kicked Senator Van out of the Liberal’s party room and on Friday called for him to resign.

Inside the tent, he has been applauded for taking swift and decisive action after a third woman raised allegations “similar” to Ms Stoker’s.

Liberal MPs are hoping Senator Van accepts that his position is untenable after bringing the party into disrepute.

They know the dangers – especially in Victoria – of talking about themselves and not cost-of-living pressures and want to prevent any further brand damage that would be caused if the state branch has to intervene and seeks to expel him.

Originally published as Senator David Van sex harassment allegations deflate Lib’s dogged attacks on Labor