David Van reveals sexual harassment investigation still ongoing

Exiled Victorian Senator David Van says an investigation into claims he inappropriately touched at least four women remains ongoing as his support for the new Murray Darling Basin Plan is revealed.

Senator David Van moved to the crossbench in June. Picture: Martin Ollman

Exiled Liberal Senator David Van has revealed an investigation into sexual harassment allegations made against him remains ongoing.

The Victorian moved to the crossbench in June amid damning claims that he inappropriately touched at least four women, including Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and former Liberal Senator Amanda Stoker — which he strenuously denies.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton referred the “serious, credible allegations” to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, which launched an investigation into the misconduct.

Asked by the Herald Sun about the outcome of the probe, Senator Van said: “That is an ongoing confidential process so I’m not going to talk about that”.

The comments came as Water Minister Tanya Plibersek announced she had struck a deal with Senator Van in exchange for his support for the new Murray Darling Basin Plan.

The appearance was then shut down by Ms Plibersek – the former opposition spokeswoman for women – who claimed she needed to make way for another press conference.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton referred the ‘serious, credible allegations’ to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service. Picture: Martin Ollman

Under changes secured by Senator Van, water leasing would be an option instead of relying on controversial buybacks to return 450GL of water to the environment.

The government will also be required to “consider the social and economic impacts of any water purchasing program” and report on it annually.

Senator Van said the benefits of the amendments to Victorians was “quite enormous”.

“If buybacks alone had of just been allowed to go through it was likely that we were going to see 25 per cent of the Victorian dairy industry disappear,” he said.

Ms Plibersek said the Victorian government had been offered hundreds of millions of dollars from the Commonwealth to deliver the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“The Victorian government has said they don’t like buybacks. Well, neither does Senator Van. Neither does the NSW government,” she said.

“What those people have recognised is that as the Commonwealth government we will have to do some voluntary water purchase.

“The deal for Victoria, should they sign on, is we do voluntary purchases, we were always going to do that, plus they get extra money to help with structural adjustment.

“I really respect the fact that Senator Van has taken a common sense approach to this.”