Next chapter in alleged bullying saga as Forrest wants third party for meeting

MURCHISON MLC Ruth Forrest is on the hunt for an independent third party to sit in on her conciliation meeting with Police Minister Rene Hidding.

MLC Ruth Forrest wants an independent third party to sit in on her conciliation meeting with Police Minister Rene Hidding. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

MURCHISON MLC Ruth Forrest is on the hunt for an independent third party to sit in on her conciliation meeting with Police Minister Rene Hidding.

Her search follows confirmation from Premier Will Hodgman that Ms Forrest and Mr Hidding were willing to meet one another in an effort to sort out their dispute.

Mr Hidding and Ms Forrest had been on a collision course over a dispute that started with a bullying allegation.

Ms Forrest accused Mr Hidding of bullying her during a parliamentary dinner in September.

In turn, Mr Hidding threatened to sue Ms Forrest for defamation, saying she publicly linked her bullying allegation against him with violence against women.

Labor has pursued Mr Hidding over his alleged behaviour and Mr Hodgman over his handling of the affair.

Ms Forrest said while she had agreed to a further meeting with Mr Hidding, she was seeking a professional independent conciliator

“I want somebody who does this professionally,” she said

Mr Hodgman sought advice from the Solicitor-­General and the secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet over the bullying allegation against Mr Hidding.

He then said he had formed the view Mr Hidding had not breached the Ministerial Code of Conduct, and told State Parliament he hoped the dispute could be sorted out via conciliation.

Opposition leader Bryan Green said Mr Hodgman had allowed the bullying saga to drag on for too long.

“If Will Hodgman showed leadership in the first place this issue could have been dealt with swiftly,” he said.

“But by only listening to Rene Hidding’s version of events, the Premier has allowed the saga to drag on and on.

“The reason this issue has not been resolved is Will Hodgman’s failure to even speak with Ruth Forrest.

“It was a pathetic response to a serious issue.

Mr Hodgman has said the fact that both parties were willing to attempt to resolve the matter through a meeting vindicated his approach.

However the Hidding-Forrest saga has prompted calls for independent oversight of the Ministerial Code of Conduct, given the Premier was able to use confidential advice to inform a decision to take no further action.

Originally published as Next chapter in alleged bullying saga as Forrest wants third party for meeting