Pauline Hanson (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Hansard source

But, when one of his victims had the courage to stand up, that victim was ground down by the deep pockets of the department. One of Slipper's young male staff members who alleged sexual harassment felt forced to record a video of Slipper's conduct in order to put an end to the harassment. Of course this video never saw the light of day, but sworn evidence exists from someone who has no vested interest whatsoever, who was at the young male staffer's house when he was visited through the window by Mr Slipper and who saw the video. That video was brought to the attention of then Prime Minister John Howard, but he didn't want to know about it when Slipper was a sitting member of his party. By Mr Howard's ignoring Slipper's behaviour, he unconsciously helped cover up Slipper's actions, which eventually created more victims of Mr Slipper, a serial sexual predator. Another young male member of Slipper's staff suddenly disappeared and, when approached to give evidence, had legal advice to not discuss what had happened. The gag was so tight that the only person who would talk was the young man's mother, who said to Mr Ashby, 'My sister said that one day God would send a person to put a stop to Slipper's behaviour, and maybe you're that person.' There was another man in Queensland to whom Slipper made sexual advances at the same time he was recruiting James Ashby.

The story of Peter Slipper and his time in office is a story of repeated sexual harassment of young gay staffers that he recruited to work for him. He abused his office, which had a constant stream of bright and ambitious young men that he would groom for his own gratification. He did all this while hiding behind the facade that he was a married man and a person who had the integrity and moral standing to hold an elected office. When James Ashby had the courage to kick off proceedings against Slipper and the Commonwealth, the Labor government brought all of its wrath and resources down upon James. The Commonwealth itself blew $800,000 of taxpayer money to run Mr Ashby into the ground before the matter even reached a hearing. That in itself is an absolute disgrace. Then the Labor Party spent millions defending Mr Slipper but not the victim. James Ashby settled his case with the Commonwealth in order to focus on bringing Mr Slipper to justice and on stopping his conduct. Mr Ashby settled for a paltry $50,000 plus an important commitment that the Commonwealth would implement sexual harassment training for all elected members. Mr Ashby did not anticipate that the government would not only fail to properly introduce that training but would also bankroll Mr Slipper's continued legal defence and conduct.

The Labor government would go on to exclude parliamentary staff from whistleblower protection legislation being proposed in the parliament and pass further legislation that would fund the legal defence of political Harvey Weinsteins while leaving their victims to fend for themselves. Worse still, this parliament hangs a prominent portrait of a sexual predator in the Mural Hall, to rub further salt into the wounds of his victims. It's time the PM answers a simple question: why will his government pay millions in compensation to Brittany Higgins, yet when the overwhelming evidence that led to the unprecedented and historical resignation of the Speaker was presented he has not even offered Mr Ashby an apology and to cover his legal costs for the hell he was put through? It's time the Labor government right this travesty and cover Mr Ashby's legal costs and correct this shameful injustice.