FULL SPEECH: Blain MLA Mark Turner breaks silence on scandal

READ: The full transcript of Blain MLA Mark Turner’s late night speech to parliament in which he addresses his role in the so-called “cocaine sex scandal”

Mr Mark Turner on the first sitting day of parliament in 2021. Photograph: Che Chorley

The full transcript of Blain MLA Mark Turner’s speech to parliament, in which he addresses his role in the so-called “cocaine sex scandal”.

I rise tonight to make a personal explanation about untrue rumours circulating online, which concern me.

It was not my intention to respond to untrue rumours and innuendo. There are untrue things said about every one of us, every day.

It is my view that online rumours should stay in the dark corners of the internet, and not dredged up in the parliament for theatre.

To do otherwise, sets a very dangerous precedent for all of us.

I have been speaking to the Chief Minister this week – and I am grateful to him and my caucus colleagues for his support, for their view that untrue rumours should not be given public credibility, and for the desire to protect my family from public embarrassment.

But the actions of the Leader of the Opposition in recent days, and new media reports tonight – have left me with no other choice.

Mr Mark Turner. Photograph: Che Chorley

The Leader of the Opposition has used her privileged position in this place to take these untrue rumours about me, and use them to impugn the character of my colleagues.

I will not allow that to continue any longer. I have the Chief Minister’s support in making this statement.

Regarding the private citizen at the centre of these rumours, whose personal information was allegedly stolen –

Any suggestion that I participated in an illegal activity is categorically false.

Regarding the allegedly stolen messages –

I can confirm that this person and I have had a friendship in the past.

I do not recall the details of every conversation.

During this friendship we exchanged general conversation, banter, jokes, and some intimate conversation.

I do not condone illegal activity, and I do not participate in it.

I accept that there were aspects of our friendship in the past that were not appropriate, because they were too intimate.

It was not illegal. It was consensual. It was respectful. But not appropriate.

And that is something that I need to deal with, and am dealing with, privately, with my family.

MORE RELATED NEWS

MLA at centre of cocaine sex scandal speaks for the first time

Chief Minister Michael Gunner must resign over alleged cocaine sex scandal: Finocchiaro

I am not a perfect person. Nobody is. Nobody in the parliament is.

I’ve made mistakes in the past, in my personal life.

But the rumours and the allegations that the Leader of the Opposition is peddling are just plain wrong. They just are not true.

I am deeply embarrassed by all of this. And if that was the Leader of the Opposition’s goal – she has succeeded.

My family’s private hurt is now public. If that was the Leader of the Opposition’s goal – she has succeeded.

A private citizen, whose personal information was allegedly stolen – has been left traumatised. If that was the Leader of the Opposition’s goal – she has succeeded.

Leader of the Opposition – I can only hope that this has been worth it for you.

In my public life, I answer to the good people of the Blain electorate.

I apologise to them for the distraction this has caused, and I will work every day to keep earning their trust.

HOT NEW DEAL: $1 for 28 days subscription offer

In my personal life, and for any personal failings, I answer to my family.

I unreservedly apologise to them for the hurt and distress this has caused. I am very fortunate that I have their continued support, and I will work every day to repair and strengthen that relationship.

I ask that my family be given the privacy that we need to do that.

I trust that in making this personal statement, the matter is resolved, and the untrue allegations can now cease, once and for all.