David O’Byrne confirms he will stay in parliament despite calls for him to resign
David O’Byrne has announced he will stay in parliament as Labor Member for Franklin despite numerous calls for him to resign. LATEST >>
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FORMER Labor leader David O’Byrne faces a baptism of fire in state parliament after defying calls from his own party to quit.
In a dramatic day in Tasmanian politics, Mr O’Byrne on Monday announced he would quit the Parliamentary Labor Party caucus, but would remain in Parliamement as a Labor member.
He left a scheduled party meeting early and without comment after Opposition leader Rebecca White demanded he quit parliament altogether.
Parliament resumes on Tuesday after the winter recess and independent MP Kristie Johnston — the sister of the woman who accused Mr O’Byrne of sexual harassment — is understood to be contemplating moving a motion for an urgent debate on the topic after Question Time.
If it is supported, speakers would have the protection of parliamentary privilege to make statements which if made outside the chamber might attract a defamation writ.
In a statement announcing his decision to stay on, Mr O’Byrne said he would himself make a statement on Tuesday.
“I have today advised Labor leader and the Caucus of the Parliamentary Labor Party that I intend to remain a member of the Labor Party and continue in my role as Labor member for Franklin for the next four years and will redouble my efforts to represent the people of my electorate.
“Regrettably, I will therefore no longer be a part of the state Labor Caucus.
“I have committed my life to working to make a positive difference for people and have always believed that being in parliament as part of a representative democracy is the best way to do that.
“Despite the last few difficult months I still believe that remaining in parliament … is not only important but crucial in making a positive difference.”
Mr O’Byrne was accused of sexual harassment by former union colleague Rachel Midson. An internal inquiry found his behaviour was wrong, but not a breach of Labor Party rules.
Earlier, Ms White said it was time for Mr O’Byrne to go.
“I hope that overnight he has reflected on the comments that were shared with him by his caucus colleagues, and at our party room meeting today he’ll tender his resignation,” Ms White said.
“The community expects leaders like us to uphold certain standards and I don’t believe, in this instance, David (O’Byrne) has upheld those standards.
“We need to put an end to this right now.”
Ms White acknowledged that Labor was fraught by internal issues.
“There’s no doubt that the Labor Party is struggling with a range of issues at the moment and this is just one of them.
“We are a party that has endured quite a few difficulties over recent months.
“But my resolve and the resolve of my caucus is to ensure that we rebuild the Labor Party so that it can strongly represent the views of Tasmanians and one day form a government that can deliver the outcomes Tasmanians expect of us.
“There’s no doubt that right now, we’re not doing that. We have to do better. We have to fix the problems in the Labor Party.”
Parliament’s ability to suspend standing orders for a debate on sexual harassment will be limited by the need to urgently pass two supply bills this week so the government can continue to function in case of a Covid lockdown interrupting sittings.
The two interim Bills would cover the period November through to January 2022 in case the 2021-22 budget Bills were hampered by a suspension of parliament, Leader of the House Michael Ferguson said.
“It is our intention for the Supply Bills to pass through both Houses as swiftly as possible and we have been working with other MPs and MLCs to ensure this occurs. If it were to be necessary to operate under an extended period of supply and, if sittings were suspended, we would be prepared.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the events of Monday had been astonishing, but disappointing.
“Tasmanians want and deserve an opposition that is strong and united and able to hold government to account,” she said.
“What we’re seeing from the Labour Party is an absolute farce and there are women and girls all over Tasmania who have been really deeply hurt by the events of recent weeks. It’s a party that right now stands for nothing except itself and trying to gain power.
“It’s a party that’s failing the people of Tasmania.
David O’Byrne told it’s time to resign
The leader of Tasmania’s opposition, Rebecca White, has asked former opposition leader David O’Byrne to resign from parliament.
Mr O’Byrne is yet to make his intentions known.
The announcement follows a meeting of the Tasmanian Labor Party yesterday afternoon.
“I hope that overnight he has reflected on the comments that were shared with him by his caucus colleagues, and at our party room meeting today he’ll tender his resignation,” Ms White said.
“The community expects leaders like us to uphold certain standards and I don’t believe, in this instance, David (O’Byrne) has upheld those standards.
“We need to put an end to this right now.”
Ms White said the past few weeks had been a difficult time for both Ms Midson and Mr O’Byrne.
“There’s no doubt that she’s very upset and I am very sorry that she feels traumatised by this process. “I’m also very sorry for David. He’s felt found it incredibly difficult through this process too.
“As I’ve said, we need to think about how to ensure the Labor Party policy doesn’t make people feel worse when they bring forward complaints or if they defending themselves against complaints.”
Ms White said the job ahead of the Labor Party was to unite and focus on representing the community.
“There’s no doubt that the Labor Party is struggling with a range of issues at the moment and this is just one of them and I acknowledge that. We are a party that has endured quite a few difficulties over recent months. But my resolve and the resolve of my caucus is to ensure that we rebuild the Labor Party so that it can strongly represent the views of Tasmanians and one day form a government that can deliver the outcomes Tasmanians expect of us. There’s no doubt that right now, we’re not doing that. We have to do better. We have to fix the problems in the Labor Party.”
Labor must take a stand on O’Byrne, party elders say
THE silence from the Labor Party and the union movement over the conduct of David O’Byrne was a failure of leadership, two former party leaders say.
Lara Giddings and Paul Lennon both served as Labor premiers. They say now is the time for the party elders to stand up.
Mr O’Byrne stepped down as Labor leader after being accused of sexual harassing junior union colleague Rachel Midson.
An internal Labor inquiry found his behaviour in kissing Ms Midson and sending her text messages was inappropriate and wrong but did not amount to a breach of Labor Party rules.
Ms Giddings said Mr O’Byrne must resign from parliament for the good of the party.
“I’m very concerned that what’s happening right now is dragging the Labor Party name into the mud,” she said.
“We have such a strong proud record of standing up for women and women’s lives and showing strong leadership to women.
“And right now we can’t, we have no credibility on women’s issues and it’s an absolute tragedy to me that the Liberal party can get away with defunding a service like the Tasmanian Women’s Legal Service to the point they can’t even employ a lawyer to give legal advice to women any more. free legal advice.
“What are we doing? Nothing, silence.
Mr Lennon said people within the Labor Party were looking for leadership.
He said he could not understand the silence from the party’s federal members and from the union movement.
“It’s gone wrong the minute people thought they could get away with blaming this on Rachel Midson. That’s where it went wrong,” he s said.
“I’ll never accept that the junior employee in the office is responsible for the office atmosphere. That falls on the boss. And in this case, the boss was David O’Byrne.
“If there was an atmosphere of flirtatiousness in his office, then it’s on him.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said the Labor leader needed to speak up.
“Rebecca White needs to show the leadership that’s been sorely lacking in Labor, and raise her voice for women and girls.
“Ms White needs to acknowledge the courage of – and subsequent trauma felt by – Rachel Midson.
O’Byrne told it’s time to resign
TWO former Labor premiers have called on David O’Byrne to resign from state parliament.
It comes after a meeting of the Parliamentary Labor Party late on Sunday to discuss the Franklin MHA’s political future.
Lara Giddings and Paul Lennon issued a joint statement on Sunday night urging the former opposition leader to “do the honourable thing”.
But Mr O’Byrne, who stood down in June after having sexual harassment allegations levelled against him, is said to be digging his heels in and is refusing to take leave or resign.
“David O’Byrne should do the honourable thing and resign from the Tasmanian parliament,” Ms Giddings and Mr Lennon’s statement began.
“Improper advances on women must stop and consent better understood when it comes to relationships between two people.
“Consent should never be assumed by anyone.”
Ms Giddings and Mr Lennon praised Rachel Midson, the former colleague of Mr O’Byrne who alleged he sexually harassed her when he was her boss at the Liquor Trades Union in 2007.
“Politicians are held to a high standard in our community,” the ex-premiers said.
“The right thing to do in circumstances such as this is to resign from public office.
“It is important that we learn from this process and that the Labor Party reviews its policy on how to handle complaints of this nature.
“It may be useful to ask the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to review the policy and process undertaken in this case and provide advice so that future complaints can be heard in a safe and supportive environment in accordance with best practice.”
In an independent review conducted by Barbara Deegan, four of the six allegations Ms Midson made were rejected. The review said Mr O’Byrne did not regularly touch Ms Midson in an inappropriate manner at work and didn’t subject her to “improperly motivated and unwarranted performance management”.
Mr O’Byrne has admitted he kissed and sent messages to Ms Midson but said he believed these actions were consensual. He has rejected Ms Midson’s assertions that he sexually harassed and victimised her.
Labor MPs were tight-lipped after the hastily convened meeting to discuss Mr O’Byrne’s future.
They were so guarded they would not even say how long the meeting went for.
One responded: “It (the meeting) finished but I can’t/won’t say anything sorry”.
It’s understood Mr O’Byrne believes the action taken by the PLP is unprecedented and he thinks it should be referred to the party’s disputes committee.
With parliament due to resume this week, it’s expected the issue will again be raised by opposition MPs.
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