LIBERAL MP for Corangamite Sarah Henderson says she has been \u201csubjected to some pretty terrible things from Labor\u201d for more than a decade as an MP, but does not believe there are similar issues inside her own party.<\/p>\n
In the wake of last month\u2019s highly disruptive Liberal leadership spill, Chisholm MP Julia Banks announced on August 29 that she would not contest the marginal seat at the coming federal election.<\/p>\n
Ms Banks said the events of the week were \u201cthe last straw\u201d and hit out not only at the \u201cinternal political games, factional party figures, selfproclaimed power brokers and certain media personalities who bear vindictive, mean-spirited grudges intent on settling their personal scores\u201d but also the bullying and intimidation she had experienced \u201cboth from within my own party and from the Labor party\u201d.<\/p>\n
On the same day, Ms Henderson issued a statement saying she was \u201csaddened to learn that Julia will not recontest the seat of Chisholm and the reasons for her decision\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPolitics is a robust and stressful business, particularly when contesting or representing a marginal seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have experienced unfounded attacks, bullying and intimidation by the Labor Party since I first ran for Parliament in 2009.<\/p>\n
\u201cBullying in any workplace is completely unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to questions last week about the cultural environment inside the Liberal Party, Ms Henderson said \u201cit can be very, very tough\u201d in a marginal seat but that \u201cI haven\u2019t had the same experience as Julia\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are times where politics can be brutal, and we\u2019ve seen a prime minister cut down under circumstances where I believe that should not have happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know the details of what Julia has endured, but the Prime Minister has made one thing very clear \u2013 he will not tolerate any of this behaviour inside the Liberal Party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Henderson was reportedly offered a ministry if she switched her support to Peter Dutton in the leadership spill, but last week denied that she was bullied or threatened during the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll of my dealings with my colleagues last week were with great respect and consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LIBERAL MP for Corangamite Sarah Henderson says she has been \u201csubjected to some pretty terrible things from Labor\u201d for more than a decade as an MP, but does not believe there are similar issues inside her own party. In the wake of last month\u2019s highly disruptive Liberal leadership spill, Chisholm MP Julia Banks announced on […]<\/p>\n