NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ignored calls to sack the Illawarra’s parliamentary secretary, Gareth Ward, amid bullying accusations.
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The calls – from state opposition MPs, including the Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson – came after federal Liberal Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Ward on Monday night.
Ms Sudmalis used parliamentary privilege in the House of Representatives to label Mr Ward a “self-determined senior Liberal”, whose hallmarks over the past six and a half years had been “bullying, betrayal and backstabbing”.
Ms Sudmalis made the comments to explain why she chose to withdraw her nomination for the Liberals’ Gilmore preselection – and not contest the next federal election.
Mr Ward was back at work in the NSW Parliament on Tuesday, but couldn’t escape the spotlight during question time in the bearpit.
Labor Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison quizzed Ms Berejiklian on whether she would have the bullying allegations investigated.
“Given that the federal MP Ann Sudmalis says that bullying, betrayal and backstabbing are the hallmarks of the member for Kiama, will you stand him aside as your parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast, and have these bullying allegations fully investigated?,” Ms Aitchison asked the Premier.
Ms Berejilian responded with a general comment about bullying having no place in any workplace or organisation, before throwing her support behind both Mr Ward and Ms Sudmalis.
“Both members mentioned in the member for Maitland’s question are decent, hardworking members of Parliament, focused on their community,” the Premier said.
“And I say to every member of Parliament, we all know what our responsibilities are and we undertake them on behalf of our community on a daily basis.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend the member for Kiama for his outstanding community work. He is one of the most enthusiastic, energetic and hardworking local members you will ever find.
“All of us who know and love the member for Kiama, know what he represents and I say to every member of this place … each of us has a responsibility to show through our actions that bullying has no place in any workplace, in any organisation.”
The bullying accusations also saw Shellharbour MP Anna Watson call for Mr Ward to be sacked as the Illawarra’s parliamentary secretary.
Minutes after Ms Aitchison’s question, Ms Watson said: “The Prime Minister [Scott Morrison] has said and I quote, ‘I’ve got no truck with bullying, I’m setting the standards for the future of my party and people know what to expect’.
“Premier, if you agree with the Prime Minister’s comments, why won’t you sack the parliamentary secretary for the Illawarra?”
In her reply, Ms Berejiklian said: “I of course agree with the Prime Minister’s comments and I note the [federal] Member for Lindsay [Emma Husar] is probably in the same position as well and I refer you to the previous answer.”
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
