Henderson says she hasn’t been bullied

LIBERAL MP for Corangamite Sarah Henderson says she has been “subjected to some pretty terrible things from Labor” 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’s 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.

Ms Banks said the events of the week were “the last straw” and hit out not only at the “internal political games, factional party figures, self-proclaimed power brokers and certain media personalities who bear vindictive, mean-spirited grudges intent on settling their personal scores” but also the bullying and intimidation she had experienced “both from within my own party and from the Labor party”.

On the same day, Ms Henderson issued a statement saying she was “saddened to learn that Julia will not recontest the seat of Chisholm and the reasons for her decision”.

“Politics is a robust and stressful business, particularly when contesting or representing a marginal seat.

“I have experienced unfounded attacks, bullying and intimidation by the Labor Party since I first ran for Parliament in 2009.

“Bullying in any workplace is completely unacceptable.”

In response to questions last week about the cultural environment inside the Liberal Party, Ms Henderson said “it can be very, very tough” in a marginal seat but that “I haven’t had the same experience as Julia”.

“There are times where politics can be brutal, and we’ve seen a prime minister cut down under circumstances where I believe that should not have happened.

“I don’t know the details of what Julia has endured, but the Prime Minister has made one thing very clear – he will not tolerate any of this behaviour inside the Liberal Party.”

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.

“All of my dealings with my colleagues last week were with great respect and consideration.”