Greens MP claims mayor Brendan Blomeley is subject of complaints from women

Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley is facing claims of intimidation, bullying and sexual harassment from a female member of the Liberal Party, a Greens MP has claimed.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley. Picture: Chris Kidd

Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley is facing claims of intimidation, bullying and sexual harassment from a member of the Liberal Party, a Greens MP has claimed.

Member for Hobart Cassy O’Connor made a series of allegations against Mr Blomeley in the Legislative Council on Thursday evening.

Mr Blomeley has been waging a vigorous campaign — with the support of government minister Eric Abetz — to be reinstated to the Liberal Party after being expelled for not dismissing speculation he might run as an independent at the last state election.

Ms O’Connor under the protection of parliamentary privilege, said she had been contacted by women within the Liberal Party with concerns about Mr Blomeley.

“We’ve been made aware there’s an active complaint within the Liberal Party executive about Mr Blomeley and about his conduct towards Liberal women, including intimidation, bullying and sexual harassment,” she told the Legislative Council.

Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“One person has told the Greens ‘over my time knowing and observing Brendan, I’ve witnessed aggressive and bullying behaviour, especially towards women’.

“Women in the Liberal Party, they said, ‘deserve to feel safe, respected and heard. The Liberal Party is a more respectful place without him, I know other women feel the same’.

“She finished by saying, ‘I cannot stress enough that I don’t want my identity revealed due to fear of retaliation from an aggressive and vindictive man’.

“A senior Liberal woman has also told me that at an event, she was bullied, harassed and intimidated by Mr. Blomeley, to the point she was reduced to tears.

Ms O’Connor said Mr Abetz — the minister for Business, Industry and Renewables as well as Transport — continued to give political support to Mr Blomeley.

“We have heard from Liberal women who have first-hand experience of inappropriate conduct, including bullying and harassment by Mr Blomeley, and they state those concerns have been dismissed by Mr Abetz,” Mr O’Connor said.

Minister Eric Abetz. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“His decision to protect Mr Blomeley throughout his career has resulted in this behaviour continuing, making more women less safe.

“To this day, Mr Abetz is steadfastly supporting Mr Blomeley in his internal Liberal Party membership battle, despite knowing his history with women and being aware of the current complaint against him.

“It is Mr Abetz who wrote to Liberal members to defend Mr Blomeley, saying he had his full support.

“He is also pushing within the membership to reinstate Mr Blomeley to his Liberal Party positions again.”

She called on Premier Jeremy Rockliff to take action.

“You cannot stay silent in the face of sexism, harassment or misogyny. It’s an implicit endorsement of it.”

A government spokeswoman condemned Ms O’Connor.

“Ms O’Connor’s transformation of the legislative council into a coward’s castle is disappointing and regrettable,” she said.

“Tasmanians aren’t interested in politicians talking about themselves. They want their members of parliament focused on the real issues and challenges everyday Tasmanians are facing: cost of living, health and housing.”

Mr Blomeley declined to comment on the claims.

Liberal Party state director Peter Coulson said: “Mr Blomeley is not a Liberal Party member so I have no comment.”

Originally published as Greens MP claims mayor Brendan Blomeley is subject of complaints from women