Even before the extraordinary turn of events in the Senate,a pall had again fallen over the parliament,reminiscent of the awful days of 2021.
Van maintained his innocence and accused Lidia Thorpe of “cowering under the umbrella of parliamentary privilege” as he agreed to leave the Liberal party room.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe had in parliament accused Victorian Liberal senator David Van of “harassing” and “sexually assaulting” her.
Politicians have again proven to Australians that federal parliament is a toxic environment that can bring out the worst in all who work there.