Peter Dutton says David Van should quit parliament after a third allegation emerges

A move to suspend Senator David Van from the Victorian Liberals is being widely supported internally after Peter Dutton called for him to quit parliament.

Thorpe has called on the government to immediately increase the number of security guards and cameras in Parliament House. Picture: Martin Ollman

Pressure is mounting on embattled senator David Van to resign from the parliament and the Victorian Liberal Party, as he faces threats of expulsion from the state branch following “serious, credible allegations” from a third woman.

Senator Van on Friday maintained his innocence, saying he would not make any further statements until the claims had been investigated.

But Peter Dutton called on him to resign “sooner than later”, after a third woman raised “similar” concerns to those of former LNP senator Amanda Stoker, who alleged Senator Van squeezed her bottom twice.

A suspension motion within the Victorian Liberal Party was on track to be submitted by the end of Friday, but some Liberal MPs believed there would be support to expel him if he doesn’t quit first.

Senator David Van has been dumped from the Liberal partyroom. Picture: Martin Ollman

Mr Dutton expelled Senator Van from the federal Liberal party room on Thursday following the bombshell claims.

“It is in everyone’s best interest that he resign from the parliament and I hope he is able to do that sooner than later, and get the help that he needs,” the Opposition Leader said.

“I think that would be an appropriate next step. He has a presumption of innocence but there are serious credible allegations that have been made.”

The allegations have been referred to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service for investigation.

The senator did not emerge from his double-storey terrace in St Kilda on Friday.

Cleaners were seen leaving the property about 9.30am.

Neighbours declined to comment.

Asked if he would resign from parliament following Mr Dutton’s call, Senator Van referred to his written statement.

“I am utterly shattered by the events of the past days and stunned that my good reputation can be so wantonly savaged without due process or accountability,” it read.

“I will fully co-operate with whatever process Mr Dutton proposes to determine these matters as quickly and fairly as possible.

“I will not be making any more public statements on the allegations until a proper examination of these claims is concluded.”

Expulsion from the state branch is a decision for the Victorian Liberals.

“The Liberal Party has taken action to suspend all organisational resources and support from Senator Van,” a party spokesperson said.

“There will be an urgent meeting this weekend of the party’s Victorian Administrative Committee to further consider the allegations raised.”

The matter puts state president Greg Mirabella in a pickle, as he would be the frontrunner to replace Senator Van.

Several Liberal MPs told the Herald Sun on Friday they were “not surprised” about the allegations and hoped he would resign quickly to prevent the party being brought into further disrepute.

One insider said it was “frustrating” because Liberal staffers had raised concerns but no one made a formal complaint.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said she didn’t want Australians anywhere to feel they can’t speak up if they’ve been harassed.

But Education Minister Jason Clare said men also had to change their behaviour.

imon Birmingham, who was involved in moving Senator Van from his office after concerns were raised by the Greens on behalf of Lidia Thorpe, said no allegations of sexual assault had been raised.

Senator Birmingham said Senator Van should consider resigning because the party would prefer to have a participating senator in its team.

“Anybody who feels affected by these sorts of events should get help, and that includes David Van,” he said.

Senator Thorpe on Friday claimed her allegations were “not believed” until a “white woman stood up” and said it also happened to her. She said “systemic racism” was one reason women don’t speak out.

A letter from high-profile lawyer Rebekah Giles to Senator Thorpe on Wednesday demanded she publicly retract her “malicious lie” and apologise.

“We act on behalf of Senator David Van in relation to your statements made in the Senate to the effect that our client sexually assaulted you,” it reads. “That statement is knowingly false and your use of parliamentary privilege to make it is a disgraceful abuse of your position as an Australian senator.

Thorpe claims she was not believed

It comes as Senator Lidia Thorpe says her allegations about Senator David Van were “not believed” until a “white woman stood up” and said it also happened to her.

Senator Thorpe claims she was “demonised for speaking the truth” after she used parliamentary privilege to allege Senator Van had sexually assaulted and harassed her — allegations he strenuously denies.

An emotional Lidia Thorpe addresses the Senate on Thursday. Picture: Martin Ollman

“It wasn’t until a white woman stood up and said ‘Yeah, this happened to me too’, that the media took notice,” Senator Thorpe told ABC RN.

“That is systemic racism. I was not believed, I was questioned.

“You wonder why women don’t speak out. You wonder why we are silenced. It’s because of that kind of behaviour.”

Senator Thorpe said Parliament House in Canberra was not a safe workplace for women but there had been improvements.

She said the parliamentary workplace support service had agreed that there should be security cameras in stairwells.

“That would be one step towards making people feel a bit safer,” Senator Thorpe said.

“Not that I’m a fan of having cameras around but it is a workplace.”

Asked how the culture would change if people did not make formal complaints to the police, Senator Thorpe said the police needed to change its behaviour because it was not a safe space.

“Do you think it’s safe for black women to go to the police in this country? Not at all. So that’s not an option,” she said.

Second senator’s shock claim about David Van

Former Senator Amanda Stoker has alleged she was “inappropriately touched” by Victorian Liberal Senator David Van who “squeezed her bottom twice” at a social gathering in a parliamentary office in late 2020.

The shocking allegations come after Peter Dutton confirmed “further allegations” about Senator Van had been raised with him, prompting the Opposition leader to dump him the Liberal Party room.

Senator Van on Thursday strenuously denied the allegations raised by Victorian Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, who doubled down on claims he sexually assaulted her at Parliament House.

But former Queensland Liberal National Party Senator Amanda Stoker on Thursday night became the second woman to publicly air allegations against Senator Van, 58,

In a statement, she said: “In November 2020 Senator Van inappropriately touched me at an informal social gathering in a parliamentary office”.

Amanda Stoker claims Senator David Van squeezed her bottom twice. Picture: Gary Ramage

“He did so by squeezing my bottom twice. By its nature and by its repetition, it was not accidental … it was unprofessional and uninvited.”

Ms Stoker said she raised the matter with him at a meeting the following day and he “apologised and said he would never do it again”.

She said she accepted his apology and advised a senior female colleague about the incident. She thought the matter had been privately resolved but following Senator Thorpe’s allegations she said that was “no longer tenable”.

Senator Van didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Mr Dutton’s office would not comment when asked how many alleged incidents had occurred and how many people had come forward.

“I’m not making any judgment on the veracity of allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence – I make that very clear,” Mr Dutton said.

“There’s an independent process with the … Parliamentary Workplace Support Service to get underway.”

On Thursday afternoon, Senator Van called for an investigation into Senator Thorpe’s “outrageous claims” saying he would fully co-operate “so they can be proved to be false”. He denied the allegations that led to him moving offices in 2021, after Senator Thorpe raised the concerns through the Greens party leadership to then-Senate president Scott Ryan, after she claimed that he was “following her into the chamber”.

Asked during a radio interview if he had sexually assaulted Lidia Thorpe, Senator Van said: “Utterly no”. “I have not harassed her in any way, shape or form,” he said.

In an emotional statement to the parliament, Senator Thorpe said there were different understanding of what amounts to sexual assault but she was “being followed aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched”.

Senator Thorpe said while some staff and MPs witnessed the “sexual comments”, no one witnessed the man who followed and “cornered me into a stairwell”.

“To me, it was sexual assault,” Senator Thorpe said, adding she had to be accompanied whenever she walked inside the building.

She said she did not go public at the time because she didn’t want to take away from the allegations that had been raised by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

However, she confirmed she would not pursue legal action against Senator Van or raise her allegations with the police, saying that was “my choice”.

She called on the government to immediately increase the number of security guards and cameras in the building and consult women further safety measures.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters commended her former colleague for speaking out, after disclosing the alleged incident to the Greens leadership team two years ago.

“Everyone has a right to a safe workplace, and yet the statistics of discrimination, harassment and abuse are rife,” Senator Waters said.

But One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said Senator Thorpe’s remarks were “offensive” and accused her of “crocodile tears”.

Senator dumped from Liberal partyroom

Mr Dutton dumped Victorian Senator David Van from his partyroom after “further allegations” were brought to his attention.

The Opposition Leader said he met with Senator Van on Thursday morning to tell him he should no longer sit in the Liberal partyroom.

“Since the airing of Senator Thorpe’s allegation yesterday, further allegations in relation to Senator Van have been brought to my attention overnight and this morning,” Mr Dutton said.

“At the outset, I want to make clear, very clear, that I’m not making any judgment on the veracity of allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence – I make that very clear.

“On my instruction, my office, last night and again today, has spoken with the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, and they will conduct their considerations of these matters.”

Mr Dutton said he was not aware of the detail of Senator Van moving office but was advised that the action taken was to the satisfaction of both Senator Thorpe and the Greens Senate leadership team.

Peter Dutton addresses the media at Parliament House. Picture: Martin Ollman

Meanwhile, Senator Van has called for an investigation into Senator Thorpe’s “outrageous claims” after accepting Peter Dutton’s request that he no longer sit in the Liberal partyroom.

“There should be and must be an investigation into these outrageous claims so they can be proved to be false,” Senator Van said.

“I will fully co-operate with investigators and answer any questions that they may have of me, considered or thought should do the same.

“I’ll answer any questions put to me by my own party, as well.”

Senator Van said he denied the allegations that led to him moving offices in 2021, but agreed to move offices to “ensure the avoidance of any misconception”.

“No incident was ever alleged by her. I agreed to protect myself against her irrational concerns and ensure the effective and smooth running of the parliament,” he said.

“I do not wish this matter to stay in the Liberal Party that I fought so hard for. So I accept that I will no longer be sitting in the partyroom.”

Senator David Van has called for an investigation into Senator Thorpe’s “outrageous claims”. Picture: Martin Ollman

Senator Van said Senator Thorpe’s comments were “disgraceful” and brought the Senate into disrepute.

He said her claims about her right not to report it to police “evidences her consciousness of guilt that what she said is false”.

“If it were true, she would not be carrying under the umbrella of parliamentary privilege to make such a scandalous and serious claim,” he said, before President Sue Lines asked him to withdraw the remarks.

He also claimed allegations of intimidation by his lawyer were “unfounded”.

Thorpe delivers emotional speech to Senate

Senator’s Van’s comments came one hour after Senator Thorpe delivered an emotional speech about her experience in parliament, claiming she had been “aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched”.

Senator Thorpe said she did not go public at the time because the alleged events happened about the same time as Brittany Higgins had aired her allegations and she didn’t want to take away from it.

But she said she would not raise her allegations with the police saying that was “my choice”.

In a statement to the Upper House, Senator Thorpe said she withdrew her comments on Wednesday because the “rules of the Senate do not allow you to speak about someone’s character, only about something they have said”.

So instead, she would speak about her own experience since entering the parliament in September 2021.

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe addressed the Senate on Thursday. Picture: Martin Ollman

“As all women that have walked the corridors of this building know, it is not a safe place,” Senator Thorpe said.

“I experienced sexual comments and was inappropriately propositioned by powerful men.”

She said most were witnessed by staff and fellow members of parliament but no one witnessed a man who followed and “cornered me into a stairwell” because there were no cameras.

She said there were different understanding of what amounts to sexual assault but she was “being followed aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched”.

“It was to the degree that I had to be accompanied by someone whenever I walked inside this building. That is how the Greens supported me and I thank them for that,” Senator Thorpe said.

“To me, it was sexual assault.”

She said she was “convinced” that the government believed her, after she raised her concerns with the Senate President, Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, and senior Liberals who “assured” her Prime Minister Scott Morrison was informed.

“Their actions in immediately moving the person’s office reassured me that they understood the seriousness of what I experienced,” Senator Thorpe said.

“I did not make the incident public at the time, because it was during the time Brittany Higgins had made her experience in this building public.

“I did not want to have anything taken away from Brittany’s experience and her bravery in coming forward.”

Senator Thorpe says she will continue to speak out against the abuse and harassment that happens in Parliament House. Picture: Martin Ollman

Senator Thorpe said she felt compelled to speak out after listening to Senator Van speak about how it was important to keep women safe in the parliament.

“I will not pursue legal action against the Senator. I will not go to the police. This is my choice,” she said.

“But I will continue to speak out against the abuse and harassment that happens in this building.”

Senator Thorpe said it was not an isolated incident and there were “others I could name who have inappropriately touched me, invaded my space and knowingly made me feel unsafe”.

She called on the government to immediately increase the number of security guards and cameras in the building and to consult women who work here on what measures can and should be taken.

Greens Senator Larissa Waters has stood in support of her former colleague, Senator Thorpe, saying she commends her for speaking out about the issue.

Senator Waters said Senator Thorpe’s statement reflected what she disclosed about the alleged incident to the Greens leadership team two years ago.

Senator Larissa Waters says the Greens “backed” Senator Thorpe. Picture: Martin Ollman

“I commend and stand in awe of the strength and courage of all survivors of sexual harassment, abuse and assault,” Senator Waters said.

“She was greatly distressed. We backed her and supported her and sought solutions alongside her through discussions with the Senate president at the time, the Liberal Senate leadership and the Prime Minister’s Office.

“When people raise issues about their treatment in this or any other workplace, it is important that those around them take action.

“Everyone has a right to a safe workplace, and yet the statistics of discrimination, harassment and abuse are rife.”

Senator Waters said she thought the parliament had been making progress but this week there had been “appalling politicisation” of the allegations made by Brittany Higgins.

“This has been an incredibly distressing week for so many of us and for so many survivors,” she said.

Senator Van moved offices after allegation

Senator Van says Senator Thorpe made claims against him in 2021, prompting him to move offices, however he rejected her accusations he had sexually assaulted her.

Senator Van, who strenuously denies claims he sexually assaulted and harassed Senator Thorpe, told 2GB Radio on Thursday that Senator Thorpe had raised the concerns through the Greens party leadership to then-Senate president Scott Ryan, after Senator Thorpe alleged that he was “following her into the chamber”.

“I did make an office move in 2021,” he said.

“She’d made an allegation to our leadership, through her leadership, that I was following her into the chamber which made her feel uncomfortable.

“That was just the way that we all file into the chamber when there are divisions.

“At times I’d be in front of her, at times I’d be behind her but at no time did I harass her, touch her, barely even said hello.”

Reflecting on when the issue was raised, Senator Van said: “It was just such a strange thing to say, given how we all pile into the chamber … in a pattern given the layout of Parliament House”.

Lidia Thorpe accused Liberal Senator David Van of sexual assault. Picture: Martin Ollman

“There was always other senators around. Not just the two of us walking.”

Asked if he had sexually assaulted Lidia Thorpe, Senator Van said: “Utterly no”.

“I think the only time I ever even touched her would have been shaking her hand after her maiden speech but nothing else that’s for sure,” he said.

“I have not harassed her in any way, shape or form.”

He said it was “utterly disgusting” that she would call him a perpetrator.

“I’d feel less bad if she had of accused me of murder rather than this,” Senator Van said.

“If she has any belief that anything happened, I’d encourage her to take it to the police.

“Don’t hide behind parliamentary privilege. Take it to the police, let the courts decide on this.”

The former Greens senator said she would make “a further statement” on Thursday, after accusing Senator Van of being a “perpetrator” shortly after question time on Wednesday.

Senator Van categorically rejected the accusation, calling it untrue and unfounded.

Thorpe unleashed a fiery outburst against her colleague in the upper house on Tuesday.

Liberal Senator Van was making a speech about how parliament should set the standard of behaviour for the rest of Australia when Senator Thorpe started yelling and interrupting him.

He then asked her to withdraw a comment that was not heard by the deputy president, Senator Andrew McLachlan.

But Senator Thorpe said: “I’m feeling really uncomfortable when a perpetrator is speaking about violence”.

Senator McLachlan asked her to withdraw the comments, saying they were “inappropriate and reflects poorly on the member”.

But Senator Thorpe refused.

Liberal senator David Van has denied the allegations. Picture: AAP

However, late on Wednesday night Ms Thorpe withdrew her comments to abide by parliament standing orders, but flagged she would speak about the matter in the chamber on Thursday with more detail.

In a statement, Senator Van said Senator Thorpe made “unfounded and completely untrue allegations against me that I immediately and unequivocally denied and continue to deny.

“These outrageous and reprehensible comments were made by Senator Thorpe using parliamentary privilege in the most malicious and despicable way. My lawyers have written to her already making my position clear in the strongest possible terms.”

Late on Wednesday night, Scott Morrison weighed into the issue, saying he did not recall the event.

Ms Thorpe had claimed the former Prime Minister had to remove Senator Van from his office after she was allegedly harassed.

“Mr Morrison has no recollection of Lidia Thorpe ever making such an allegation to him personally or of any involvement in Senator Van moving offices,” the statement from his office said.

Former Morrison cabinet minister and South Australian Liberal senator Anne Ruston said it was a “very, very serious accusation”.

“The matter is now before the president of the Senate, which is an appropriate place for it to be referred to,” Senator Ruston said.

Senator Thorpe in March 2021 spoke out about the alleged sexual harassment she had experienced from other politicians since entering the parliament. She claimed that she had been harassed by four parliamentarians in her first six months on the job, according to reports.

Senator Thorpe, who is known for being outspoken, was in April handed a lifetime ban from a Melbourne strip club after she unleashed a tirade of insults toward a group of mates.

She had already come under fire a month earlier after she tried to disrupt a controversial anti-transgender rally outside Parliament House, and confronted members of the AFP who were marching in the Mardi Gras parade.