Craig Kelly stands by staffer over assault allegations

Liberal defector Craig Kelly says he will not stand down Frank Zumbo despite historical sexual assault charges.

Frank Zumbo Twitter profile.

Former Liberal turned independent MP Craig Kelly says he will not stand down staffer Frank Zumbo after he was charged with a string of historical sexual assault offences, including allegations that he assaulted a teenage girl.

Mr Kelly said on Sunday that he would be standing by his chief of staff and allow him to retain his position during the trial on the grounds that he was entitled to the presumption of innocence until he had his day in court “like every single Australian”.

“Mr Zumbo obviously will take some time off to defend this matter (but) I’m not going to throw aside the principles that I believe in the presumption of innocence, for some short term political expedience,” he told Sky News.

“Just because someone has had allegations made against them does not mean they are guilty … and Mr Zumbo, like every single other Australian, deserves to have his day in court.”

Mr Kelly added that in the “Australia that I live in” it “shouldn’t apply to the average citizen that they lose their job because of an allegation”.

The 53-year-old political staffer to the Liberal defector was charged on Friday with two counts of aggravated sexually touching another person, seven counts of aggravated indecent assault where the victim was under the authority of the offender, and nine counts of common assault.

The allegations come from three women aged 23, 26, and 27 in addition to a 16-year-old girl, over multiple incidents which took place in the workplace between 2014 and 2020.

Frank Zumbo pictured as he leaves the Surry Hills police centre. 5th June 2021. Frank Zumbo has been granted bail after being charged with historical sexual offences. Picture: Damian Shaw.

Mr Zumbo was granted bail in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday after spending a night in custody following his arrest on Friday afternoon at Sutherland Police Station.

His lawyer Michael Moussa told the court: “I’m instructed to plead not guilty to every single charge, all sequences, as it stands.”

Mr Moussa said he disagreed that the allegations were “very serious” adding: “We’re dealing with hugs. We’re dealing with kisses on the left cheek, allegedly”.

Mr Zumbo was granted police bail on Friday but was not released as he refused to agree to a condition to not contact three colleagues who are also prosecution witnesses.

This condition would make it “impossible” for Mr Zumbo, who was his family’s sole source of income, to work while on bail, Mr Moussa said.

Mr Kelly, who resigned from the Liberal Party and moved to the crossbench in February, has come under pressure over his employment of Mr Zumbo since the allegations emerged.