E&OE
Thank you very much for being here today. I just have a short statement to make, and I won’t be taking any questions because we’re on to Question Time shortly.
Since the airing of Senator Thorpe’s allegation yesterday, further allegations in relation to Senator Van have been brought to my attention overnight and this morning. As such, I met with Senator Van this morning and a short time ago I advised Senator Van of my decision that he should no longer sit in the Liberal Party Party Room.
At the outset, I want to make clear, very clear, that I’m not making any judgement on the veracity of allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence – I make that very clear.
Obviously, there’s an independent process with the PWSS, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service to get underway. On my instruction, my office, last night and again today, has spoken with the PWSS, and they will conduct their considerations of these matters.
In relation to the movement of offices – Senator Thorpe made the allegation yesterday in the Senate – I wasn’t aware of the detail of Senator Van moving office, but I’ve conducted inquiries in relation to that matter overnight. I’m advised that the action at the time, that was taken, was to the satisfaction of both Senator Thorpe and the Greens Senate leadership team. I’ll leave my statement there.
Thank you very much.
[ends]