Catherine Marriott demands Nats release findings of probe into Barnaby Joyce sex harassment claim

Catherine Marriott demands Nats release findings of the probe into her sexual harassment claims against Barnaby Joyce.

Catherine Marriott says she is ‘extremely frustrated’ at the delay of the investigation into her claims against Barnaby Joyce.

The woman who accused Barnaby Joyce of sexual harassment has demanded the National Party release the findings of its investigation into her claim, saying she is “extremely frustrated” with the long delay in resolving the matter.

Catherine Marriott, a former West Australian rural woman of the year who lodged a complaint against Mr Joyce in February, said in a statement through her lawyer today that she deserved “closure”.

Ms Marriott’s claim against Mr Joyce was made at the height of controversy over his affair with political staffer Vikki Campion and was seen as the final straw that led to his resignation as deputy prime minister and Nationals leader.

Ms Marriott lodged the complaint confidentially on February 20 with the federal Nationals, who referred it to the NSW division on March 3.

“Catherine requested that a formal and confidential investigation into this incident be undertaken by the National Party to ensure there is accountability about her complaint and to prevent this type of inappropriate behaviour towards women in the future,” her lawyer Emma Salerno said today.

“In this time Catherine has assisted the National Party’s inquiry into her allegations and on several occasions, at her personal expense, met with the National Party executive to contribute towards the development of a sexual harassment and discrimination policy.

“After more than five months of co-operation and respectfully waiting on the outcome of the investigation, we are now extremely frustrated by the National Party’s ability to deal with this issue in a timely manner.

“We call on the National Party to not only release the findings of their investigation as a priority, but also their sexual harassment policy as a minimum to protect women, such as Catherine, who make allegations of sexual harassment.

“This has been a long and difficult period for Catherine who never intended for this issue to be made public. She deserves closure after enduring national public scrutiny about an issue that should have been handled swiftly, professionally and confidentially by the National Party.”

The Nationals revealed last month the party would not release the outcome of the investigation into the claim of “sexual harassment and-or misconduct” by Mr Joyce. The incident is alleged to have occurred outside Canberra’s Kurrajong Hotel in August last year.