General Discussions

[DJC]

So if got this right, Thorpe comes and accuses this guy of sexual assault then asked to retract it. Then another lady comes and says "Oh yeah, I forgot, he touched me up also" followed by another that says "Yeah me too". Dutton decides you need to resign. No investigation, no referring the matter to police, nothing. As my dad used to say, "Good Country this one".

Thorpe had to retract because naming Van was prevented by Senate standing orders.  She then repeated her account in the Senate without naming Van.  Thorpe complained about Van's conduct at the time of the incidents and he was moved to an office further away from Thorpe's.

The two Liberal Senators also reported Van's inapproriate behaviour at the time so their complaints are on record, as is Thorpe's.  However, no action was taken apart from Van being told to stop groping his colleagues.  And that's the problem; rather than taking the complaints seriously, Van is told to watch himself, is moved to a different office and nothing is done about his inappropriate behaviour.  Lidia knocks the scab off and Dutton is made aware of the three incidents, perhaps more, and decides that Van has to go.

Former Senator Stoker provides a solid justification of her decision re-visit Van's inappropriate behaviour towards her: https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/why...618-p5dhh8