Maitland MP and Shadow Minister for Women Jenny Aitchison says the NSW Premier needs to think about the sort of people she has on her front bench, after parliamentary privilege was used in parliament to accuse Luke Foley of sexual harassment.
Mr Foley has stepped down as leader of the opposition and is launching defamation proceedings, after Liberal MP David Elliot brought up a series of events which allegedly occurred at a 2016 Christmas party between Mr Foley and ABC journalist Ashleigh Raper.
It's claimed Mr Foley touched Ms Raper inappropriately on the buttocks under her dress and underwear.
In a statement from Ms Raper issued by the ABC, she says she didn't want to make a complaint but was forced to speak on the matter when it was brought into the public eye.
Jenny Aitchison believes David Elliot should not have raised the matter without Ms Raper's permission.
"We have seen some really disturbing trends in politics of male politicians using women and potentially weaponising them through the process by abusing parliamentary privilege," she says, "he has done no favours to anyone in this space, particularly not Ashleigh Raper."
"I think the Premier needs to think about the kind of people who are on her front bench, who would raise an allegation like this in parliament...for a political point for no regard for what the person at the centre of those allegations might be thinking or feeling, or indeed what they want.
"This has all been done without [Ms Raper's] consent, and it is a vile and reprehensible act," Ms Aitchison says.
David Elliot has issued a statement this afternoon - "This has clearly been a difficult time for the journalist," he says, "I have long held concerns over the character of the alternate Premier. To that end, it was never my intent to cause distress for the journalist."
It's anticipated current Deputy NSW Labor Leader, Michael Daley will be elected as a replacement for Luke Foley, with the state election looming in March 2019.
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| Luke Foley resigns. Image: SBS. |
