Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise tonight on behalf of the entire Tasmanian federal Liberal team to address recent commentary that's occurred in certain media outlets relating to membership matters of the Tasmanian division of the Liberal Party of Australia. In doing so, we join with our state colleagues who, tonight, have issued a statement to our membership about the matters I've just mentioned. They state that the importance of strong reporting processes ensures that any complainant that comes forward can do so without fear of subsequent reprisals or of adverse consequences as a result of raising genuine concerns. People in our party must feel safe to come forward with their concerns. That is paramount, and so much work has been done to ensure that this is the case. But more must be done, and the Premier's statement tonight is one from which our members and, I know, my federal colleagues can take heart.

No matter where a report is made, in what forum or by whom, it's our commitment, along with our state colleagues, that these reports are taken seriously, not just swept aside. There is no space in our party for threatening or unwelcoming behaviour against anyone. There is no space in our party for intimidating behaviour, and, while members of the division are, of course, members for the organisational wing of the party, we as elected members of our party express our unequivocal support for our state president, Mr Michael McKenna, and the members of his state executive in their decision-making. We deplore personal attacks on the president and the executive of the party and the implications and motives contained in those attacks. Such action has simply no place in our party—not now, not ever.

Senate adjourned at 17:21