NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she expects members of her government to tell her if they are the subject of a police investigation, hours after learning of a six-month probe into rape allegations against Nationals MP Michael Johnsen.
Ms Berejiklian said she was “absolutely shocked” at serious allegations that were raised in Parliament on Wednesday, accusing a NSW government MP of sexually assaulting a sex worker in the Blue Mountains 18 months ago.
Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen (left) seen with Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals John Barilaro, has taken leave from NSW Parliament.Credit:Louise Kennerley
Mr Johnsen later identified himself as the MP under investigation by the NSW Police child abuse and sex crimes squad over the incident in September 2019. He has maintained he is innocent.
Ms Berejiklian on Thursday said she was “absolutely shocked ... and somewhat relieved that it’s subject to a police investigation”.
“I think all of us want to make sure that justice is served well and properly, and the alleged victim needs to be able to have a process where nothing is prejudiced.
The Premier said she believed police should be the first informed in relation to any matters of a criminal nature, because “they are the ones that have to carry out those investigations”.
However, she said it was her “expectation” she would be informed by any member of government if they knew they were the subject of an investigation.
Earlier on Thursday, Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals John Barilaro released a statement saying he sought Mr Johnsen’s resignation from his role as Parliamentary Secretary upon learning of the allegations on Wednesday.
“He duly resigned,” Mr Barilaro said. “Mr Johnsen also agreed to no longer sit in the Nationals party room nor joint party room while the police investigation is under way.”
Ms Berejiklian refused to be drawn on the fact that Mr Johnsen effectively moving to the crossbench meant she was now facing a minority government.
“I’ve not given that too much thought today, to be honest,” she said.
The revelations emerged on Wednesday when Blue Mountains Labor MP Trish Doyle used parliamentary privilege to say she had been contacted 18 months ago by a woman who alleged she had been sexually assaulted by an MP in the Berejiklian government.
In the unannounced speech Ms Doyle did not name the MP, but described details of the alleged incident including that he had made contact with the woman via the adult classified website Locanto and arranged to meet her on his way home from Sydney.
The man was offering $200 for “oral sex only”, Ms Doyle told Parliament.
“She tells me she made herself clear that she was not willing to have penetrative sex with him. However, towards the end, the man moved around behind her and assaulted her in a way she had not consented to,” Ms Doyle said.
Mr Barilaro said he was alerted by a member of staff to “a rumour going around” on Wednesday at 7pm, before ringing Mr Johnson to “ask him directly” about the allegations.
“I don’t think I could have done anything sooner. He accepted that course of action, issued that statement, agreed to that course of action,” Mr Barilaro told 2GB, which is owned by Nine, the publisher of this masthead.
“He has chosen to take some time off; that is the best outcome personally ... none of us want to be involved or giving prejudice in this case. We need justice to run its course.”
In his statement on Wednesday night, Mr Johnsen said, without admission, he would take leave from NSW Parliament as police investigate the allegations against him.
“I am devastated by these allegations. I have voluntarily spoken with NSW Police and I have and will continue to fully cooperate with their enquiries,” he said. “I am confident any investigation will conclude that I am an innocent party.”
Nationals MP Trevor Khan said he did not believe there was a culture problem within the NSW Coalition.
“I don’t believe so,” Mr Khan said. “I don’t know if we know that anything has happened in NSW, but as I say what’s come out in Canberra causes us all to reflect.”
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Lucy Cormack is a state political reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
Tom Rabe is Transport Reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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2021-03-24 22:38:12Z
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