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| News.com.au - Senator Brian Burston (right) and One Nation adviser James Ashby. Picture: The AustralianSource:Supplied |
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (PHON) senior staffer and United Australia Party (UAP formerly PUP)
senator were involved in an altercation near the Great Hall of Parliament House
after a Minerals Council of Australia
Parliamentary Dinner on the evening of 12 February 2019.
The senator
was formerly a member of PHON who split from Pauline Hanson in 2018.
This is not
the first time PHON CoS James Ashby
has been involved in an incident where his anger has boiled over – in
2012 he allegedly batted a personal mobile phone from the hand of a journalist
into long grass, in
2016 it was alleged that he threw a mobile phone at then PHON MP Ross Culleton’s
staffer and in
2017 was accused of “bullying” and “threatening” a member of former PHON candidate Senator Fraser
Anning’s staff.
If one looks closely at the political history of the main characters, it would appear that this latest incident was a far-right grudge match involving current and former One Nation politicians and staff.
If one looks closely at the political history of the main characters, it would appear that this latest incident was a far-right grudge match involving current and former One Nation politicians and staff.
These are the
current claims and counter-claims less than 14 weeks out from the federal election………………
The
New Daily, 13 February 2019:
Pauline Hanson has
denied sexually harassing Senator Brian Burston after a bloody scuffle in the
corridors of Parliament on Wednesday night involving her chief of staff James
Ashby.
Declaring that she
“might be 64, but I am not that desperate”, Senator Hanson emphatically denied
the ugly claims that led to a physical clash between her former colleague and
her current chief of staff.
The bizarre altercation,
which was filmed by Mr Ashby, left the 70-year-old Senator Burston allegedly
bleeding from cuts to his hand and prompted security to be notified of the
clash just outside the Great Hall of Parliament.
“My hand was injured
when Ashby put his phone in the face of my wife and I defended her, fearing for
her safety,” Senator Burston told The New Daily.
“I injured my hand in
trying to get the phone off her. [Mr Ashby] ambushed me after attending the
Minerals Council dinner where he sat at the same table. Obviously a set up,” he
said.
Photos of Brian Burston’s injured hand - he alleges James Ashby caused it. Ashby says footage and witnesses will better explain what happened. Our story on all the tension today leading up to tonight’s fight: https://t.co/KiWpgfZIfD pic.twitter.com/2owetLMy3R— Max Koslowski (@MaxKoslowski) February 13, 2019
The Sydney Morning Herald, 13 February 2019:
Senator Brian Burston has denied offering to "f---" a staff member to make her feel better, as a bitter dispute erupts on the crossbench over a series of bombshell sexual harassment allegations.
Senator Brian Burston has denied offering to "f---" a staff member to make her feel better, as a bitter dispute erupts on the crossbench over a series of bombshell sexual harassment allegations.
Rejecting the allegation
contained in a lengthy complaint sent to the Department of Finance last
year and seen by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on
Wednesday, the United Australia Party senator launched his own attack on
Pauline Hanson, claiming the One Nation leader had twice sexually
harassed him.
Senator Hanson denied
the allegation on Wednesday night during a rushed appearance on Sky News:
"A lot of men have tickets on themselves and Brian Burston, don't go out
in Canberra, it's very windy tonight.
"I might be 64 but
I'm not that desperate. These are allegations that have been made up, there are
no truth to them whatsoever and I feel sorry for his wife, I really feel sorry
for his wife."
The
Sydney Morning Herald,
14 February 2019:
Scott Ryan, the
President of the Senate, said he had already talked to his lower house
counterpart, Speaker Tony Smith, and would be looking into the spat as more
information emerged.
"I've been in
discussion with the Speaker this morning and those discussions continue,"
Senator Ryan said. "We will be looking at this matter as a matter of
urgency."
"We both regard
this as a grave matter," he said. "At this stage I have received no
formal information."
Senator Burston said he
did not recall smearing two red marks - which Senator Hanson says is blood - on
his rival's office door on Wednesday evening.
"Ashby probably did
it himself - I've got no idea," he said. "I don't recall how I got
back from [Parliament House cafe] Aussie's to here [his office]."
In a statement, Senator
Burston's office said he had referred the matter to police.
"Brian Burston has
reported the full matter to the Australian Federal Police and has commenced
legal proceedings against James Ashby seeking a restraining order over repeated
acts of harassment and aggression of which the Senator has ample
evidence."
"Senator Burston
absolutely denies all allegations and will be defending them strenuously."
The senator has promised
to defend himself with planned remarks in the Senate on Thursday. Under
parliamentary privilege laws, a Member of Parliament can make otherwise
defamatory comments in the chamber without fear of legal action.
BREAKING: Senate president Scott Ryan has revoked James Ashby's pass to the Parliament #auspol— Brett Worthington (@BWorthington_) February 14, 2019
The
Guardian, 14
February 2019:
President of the
Senate Scott Ryan on why he revoked James Ashby’s pass:
“Senators must be free
to go about their work in this building, this privilege and protection is not
limited to simple proceedings in the chamber. Passholders are granted access to
the building on certain conditions on behaviour, amongst others, these conditions
are in place to protect all occupants and facilitate the work of members and
senators.
The video footage that I
have reviewed records the reported incident between Senator Burston and Mr
James Ashby last night it shows inappropriate by a passholder towards a
senator. Accordingly I have exercised my authority to revoke Mr James Ashby’s
pass to access the building and prohibit him from entering the building for the
time being. This does not affect his employment which is not a matter for the
presiding officers … This does not prejudice any other legal or other
proceedings that may be undertaken or initiated by the parties involved. Given
the seriousness of the incident and evidence immediately available to me I
believe immediate action is necessary and warranted. If further information
comes to my attention this decision can be revisited and any subsequent legal
action can be taken into account.”
Brian Burston on
blood on the door:
“Whilst I do not recall
the incident of blood on the door I now have come to the conclusion that it was
myself and I sincerely apologise for that action.”
With brawling breaking out in the corridors of Parliament House the May 2019 federal election can't come soon enough.
