Alex Bhathal during the Batman campaign.Credit: AAP
The Greens’ Victorian branch has apologised to its candidate in the Batman federal byelection over the handling of internal bullying allegations that damaged her bid to win the federal seat.
The party has also promised a “truth, reconciliation and healing process” to resolve the internal ructions, borrowing a term from Nelson Mandela’s social justice reforms in South Africa.
Alex Bhathal’s ultimately failed campaign in the inner-northern electorate was rocked by claims of bullying against her in the weeks before the March byelection.
A 101-page dossier listing complaints against the social worker was leaked during the campaign.
The complaint, which alleged aggressive behaviour by Ms Bhathal, was signed by 18 fellow party members. But a party review of how the matter was handled has cleared Ms Bhathal of any wrongdoing.
It also found the 18 signatories to the complaint did not breach party rules.
In an internal email to Greens members, obtained by The Age, the party’s state council promised to improve internal dispute resolution processes in a bid to bring the episode to a close.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale (left), Greens candidate for Batman Alex Bhathal (centre) and deputy leader Adam Bandt concede defeat in Batman. Credit: AAP
“The party regrets the distress the handling of the complaint caused for Alex and her family,” it said. “The party notes that no adverse findings were made against Alex Bhathal by any party process and that the complaint is considered closed.”
The investigation failed to identify the source of the leak against Ms Bhathal and has not recommended any disciplinary action.
Ms Bhathal says she is still dissatisfied with the party’s handling of the complaint, although she appreciated the regret expressed and the fact the party dismissed the claims made against her.
“While I remain deeply concerned about Greens internal processes and the party’s management of this matter, including that my requests for due process were repeatedly refused, I am focused on fixing politics more generally and looking forward to getting back to working for human rights, social justice and the environment, and for the needs of people in Melbourne’s north,” she said.
Ms Bhathal did not comment on whether she would recontest the marginal seat for the eighth time. She has run as a candidate in the electorate, which will be renamed Cooper, since the 2001 election.
Labor’s Ged Kearney easily won the March byelection, which was caused by the resignation of former MP David Feeney after he failed to prove he did not have dual citizenship.