MURRAY MP Helen Dalton says an unidentified male MP who said “he should have got up and clocked her” was inciting violence against her, during last week’s debate regarding floodplain harvesting in NSW Parliament.
Mrs Dalton said that while she had received many barbs in her three-and-a-half years in parliament, comments made during this debate were the worst she had experienced, and she was seeking an apology.
“What did he say – somebody should have clocked her?” she said. “That’s referring to me.”
Mrs Dalton said she had “a fair idea” who made the comment and had lodged a complaint with the NSW Independent Complaints Officer. “I would like an apology, but I also hope that they would never do this again,” she said.
“It’s really not setting a good example for the state, for our children – nor is it acceptable I have copped a lot of insults, but this has taken it to another level.
“To be clocked – that means ‘hit’. It’s appalling that we have to put up with that. Would he have said that if I were a man?”
The comment is audible on the official broadcast of proceedings of last week’s debate regarding a motion to disallow the government’s floodplain harvesting regulations.
In the video, at the one hour, 18-minute mark, a voice is heard saying “Rath’s too soft. He should have got up and clocked her.”
Chris Rath is Legislative Council deputy president.
NSW MPs voted in favour of the motion which for the fourth time in two years disallowed regulations on the grounds water targets did not protect the critical needs of communities along the Darling Baaka.
Independent MP Justin Field, who moved the motion, wrote in a Facebook post that debate on it was “disrespectful and “outright bullying in nature”.
One Nation MP Mark Latham, during his ten-minute address to the legislative council, said Mrs Dalton was a divisive member of parliament and he cast doubts about her “conflict of interest” in matters to do with irrigation.
While Mr Latham was asked by Mr Rath to not “cast aspersions”, the One Nation MP continued to label Mrs Dalton as “destructive” and an “intruder”.
Mrs Dalton subsequently entered the chamber briefly – she is part of the NSW lower house – at which time Mr Latham told her to “have a crack” and said her role was “completely destructive”.
Sunraysia Daily is not suggesting that Mr Latham made the comment that is audible on the official broadcast of parliamentary proceedings.
Shadow minister for water Rose Jackson, who was at the debate, said Mr Latham’s behaviour had crossed the line of acceptable behaviour.
“I don’t want to pretend that I don’t think there is room for robust debate in Parliament,” Ms Jackson said. “Helen participates in that, and I participate that. Robust debate is fine, but we don’t want sexist behaviour in our parliament.”
Ms Jackson said while the debate about floodplain harvesting was a “vexed issue”, Mr Latham’s behaviour was a distraction from the core issues.
Mrs Dalton said she was concerned by the actions of Mr Latham, and other male MPs, as they shared roles with her on a parliamentary committee to address the Broderick report.
The report, released last year, found bullying was a “significant issue” across parliamentary workplaces in NSW and that sexual harassment and everyday sexism occurred at “unacceptable rates”, particular for women, and those with diverse sexuality.
