Former federal Liberal MP Julia Banks makes shocking allegations about Coalition MP's in her book, 'Power Play', an extract of which was published in todays 'Good Weekend'. In one allegation Banks relates that she was touched inappropriately by a senior male colleague, a male minister, whose breath smelled of alcohol, he slid his hand up her thigh while she sat at a Coalition function. “This was a senior MP, a cabinet minister, in the prime minister’s wing,” Ms Banks writes of the unnamed minister. Banks goes on to say during her time in Parliament she was subjected to a culture within the Coalition that was "underpinned by sexism and misogyny". Banks said there was an occasion when Scott Morrison called her, in with what she calls a “bullying, short and swift and coldly calculating” tone. Morrison tried to offer her a trip overseas, which appeared to be an attempt to silence her over her revelations about sexism and misogyny within the government.

These and other allegations made by Banks detailed in her book are very serious and cannot simply be dismissed by Morrison as "I was not aware." Which seems to be Morrison's stock answer to sexual harassment allegations made against his MP's and Liberal staffers. Maybe the MP in the above can do a Porter and out himself, and then take Banks to court with a claim that "everyone knows its me".

Yep. These are certainly serious and troubling allegations. I'm sure they'll achieve their main purpose - getting more publicity for her book.

BTW Paul, I was surprised you didn't start a thread on David O'Byrne when sexual allegations were made against him.... http://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-30/labor-investigates-sexual-harassment-claims-against-david-obyrne/100253560

After all, we all know how scrupulously unbiased you are :)

Whatismore Mr O'Byrne is a fellow-traveller, n'est pas?

http://thebfd.co.nz/2021/07/02/tas-labor-leader-praises-violent-communism/

"Celebrating “Good Communists” Should Be No More Acceptable Than Celebrating “Good Nazis”."

Mhaze,

"After all, we all know how scrupulously unbiased you are" No, I'm not unbiased, I'm a Progressive Socialist and that in itself makes me biased to some degree. Being unbiased is not a virtue, not that I've met anyone who is totally unbiased on everything. Now in your case, you are totally biased to the right on everything, but wont admit it.

I didn't know that much about this O'Byrne character in Tasmania, so I did a quick read up on him. Serious allegations have been made against him, and maybe he can join the National Party and become the next Deputy PM. As for being a fellow trawler of mine, more likly on of yours.

Oh dear Paul. Did you not realise I was being facetious when I said you were unbiased? Did you miss the smiley face at the end?

We all know that you are utterly biased to the left. What's funny is that every time an allegation is raised against your class enemies you start a new thread quicker than you can say "I love Uncle Joe". But when a much more substantial allegation is made against a fellow communist, you feign utter ignorance. Sure, Paul...we all believe that.(that facetious again!)

Dear Paul,

Thank You for this discussion.

I read the edited extract of Julia Banks' book in The
Sydney Morning Herald (3rd June 2021). She's had a
remarkable career in the corporate world and I was
impressed by her reasons for entering politics in her
early fifties and giving up a very successful career
where her financial security was sorted.

She tells us that she was genuinely curious to see
what it was like on the inside of politics. She explains:

"I'd always integrated advocacy, particularly regarding
adversity and gender equality, into my business life,
and now the Liberal Party was publicly calling for
more women."

She was approached to run for pre-selection for the
marginal seat of Chisholm in Melbourne's East. It was
regarded as unwinnable - held by Labor for close to
18 years.

Well the rest as they say is history. She won the seat
entered another world - which she describes as "one
stuck in time and so deficient in trust and rational
judgement."

What she experienced was dreadful. As she points out
"far worse has happened to millions of women in
terms of unwelcome attention or inappropriate touching."

But she asks a very valid question:

"This was a senior MP, a cabinet minister, in the
PM's wing. If he was prepared to do that to me -
a 50 something corporate lawyer MP - in that room.
What must he do to women he has real power over?"

Her book is available as of Wednesday - "Power Play:
Breaking Through Bias Barriers and Boys' Clubs."

Shocking revelations from Canberra - which need to have
the spotlight shone on what really goes on amongst our
highly paid elected officials. And how much longer will it
be allowed to be ignored, brushed aside, as the "rough
and tumble of politics?"

Having more women in politics may affect these boys' clubs
in a good way. Worth a try.

How serious is this?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-04/david-o-byrne-resigns-as-labor-leader/100266864

David O'Byrne has resigned as Tasmanian Labor leader over allegations he sexually harassed a junior union employee more than a decade ago.