Liberal senator David Van has been removed from the party room following allegations of sexual assault made by independent senator Lidia Thorpe.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stated on Thursday that he informed the Liberal senator that he is no longer welcome in the party room.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lidia Thorpe has withdrawn claims that a Liberal senator sexually assaulted her
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Dutton mentioned that additional allegations have been made against Senator Van since Senator Thorpe’s initial claims were aired.
“I want to make clear, very clear that I’m not making any judgment on the veracity of the allegations or any individual’s guilt or innocence,” Dutton said.
The announcement followed Senator Thorpe’s speech to the upper house on Thursday, where she outlined allegations of sexual assault by a Liberal senator.
On Wednesday, she accused Senator Van of harassment and sexual assault under parliamentary privilege.
Senator Van has denied these allegations.
Although not specifically naming Senator Van in her Thursday speech, Senator Thorpe revealed that she was followed and cornered in a stairwell by a senator at Parliament House who then “aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched” her.
“There are different understandings of what amounts to sexual assault … to me, it was sexual assault,” she expressed.
“I was afraid to walk out of the office door.
“I would open the door slightly and check the coast was clear before stepping out.
“It was to the degree that I had to be accompanied by someone whenever I walked inside this building.”
Senator Thorpe stated that she will not pursue legal action or report the incident to the police.
“This is my choice, but I will continue to speak out against the abuse and harassment that happens in this building,” she declared.
“I want to focus on making this place safe for everyone, and at this moment, it is not a safe place for women.”
The independent senator emphasized that the incident was not isolated and that there were other individuals in parliament who had inappropriately touched her.
She claimed that former prime minister Scott Morrison was informed about the incident after Senator Van switched offices.
“I did not make the incident public at the time because it was during the time Brittany Higgins had made her experience in this building public,” Senator Thorpe explained.
Senator Van asserted in parliament on Thursday that Senator Thorpe’s allegations were “entirely fabricated”.
“Nothing that she has alleged of me is truthful. No such exchange occurred between us,” he stated.
“There is no interaction that could conceivably resemble what she described today.
“Making false allegations in the Senate today is disgraceful and brings the Senate into disrepute.”
He accepted that he will no longer be part of the Liberal party room.
“I do not wish this matter to stay in the Liberal Party that I fought so hard for,” he expressed.
Senator Van stated that an investigation into Senator Thorpe’s claims is necessary and he is willing to cooperate.
“Senator Thorpe should do the same.”
Senator Thorpe initially made accusations against Senator Van on Wednesday while he was delivering a speech criticizing the Labor Party’s handling of the Brittany Higgins sexual assault allegations.
Senator Van mentioned that in 2021, he accepted an offer from then-Senate president Scott Ryan to move to an office further away from Senator Thorpe.
He did so following a claim, which he denies, that his proximity to her office made her feel “uncomfortable”.
“(I) agreed to protect myself against her irrational concerns and ensure the effective and smooth running of the parliament.”
Senate President Sue Lines will release a statement on the matter later on Thursday.