Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe recently made allegations of harassment and sexual assault against Liberal Senator David Van during a parliamentary debate.
Although two other women has since also accused Senator Van of sexual misconduct, Ms Thorpe's statement that she will not make a formal complaint to police or otherwise pursue the matter outside parliament means Mr Van will not have the opportunity to meet the allegations in a court of law; a situation which has the potential to undermine due process as well as the presumption of innocence.
Indeed, statements made by politicians in parliament are protected by ‘parliamentary privilege‘ – a unique protection against adverse legal consequences over statements made in the Houses of Parliament.
