WA Liberal Tjorn Sibma apologises to cleared staffer
A senior Liberal MP has made a formal apology to Steve Kaless, a former Labor media adviser who was accused but ultimately cleared of indecently assaulting a colleague.
A senior Liberal MP has made a formal apology to Steve Kaless, a former Labor media adviser who was accused but ultimately cleared of indecently assaulting a colleague.
Tjorn Sibma, who was this week named the deputy leader of the Liberal Party in Western Australia’s upper house, is also understood to have reached a financial settlement over comments directed at Mr Kaless in late 2019.
The apology from Mr Sibma comes as Mr Kaless continues to pursue separate legal claims against both the WA government and the WA Liberal Party.
Mr Kaless was a senior media adviser to then-treasurer Ben Wyatt, but was forced out of his role after a colleague alleged he had touched her inappropriately at a bar following a boozy office Christmas party in December 2019.
He was charged with indecent assault the following month, but was acquitted after CCTV footage from within the bar showed he had not placed his hand up the woman’s dress and into her underpants as alleged.
Mr Sibma had described Mr Kaless as an “office creep” who was “predating on women” in the days after the allegations were revealed, but formally apologised to Mr Kaless in a written apology earlier this month.
“I accept that Mr Stephen Kaless has been found not guilty of indecent assault in connection with those claims, and that my comments have caused him some distress,” Mr Sibma wrote.
“I regret and apologise to Mr Kaless for any offence caused and accept without reservation the court’s findings regarding Mr Kaless’ conduct.”
The former adviser’s legal action against the WA Liberal Party remains on foot, with Mr Kaless having filed a writ in the WA Supreme Court alleging he was “grossly defamed” in a video posted to the party’s Facebook page. The video portrayed Mr Kaless as an example of “Labor’s toxic culture towards women”.
He is also pursuing WA Premier Mark McGowan for defamation and has accused Mr Wyatt and a host of senior government staffers of conspiring against him.
Mr Kaless has also lodged a separate claim against the government in the Industrial Relations Commission.
Both Mr Kaless and Mr Sibma declined to comment.
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