In April 2012 the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Slipper, MP, stood aside while criminal and civil allegations were being investigated. Mr James Ashby, a former staff member in Mr Slipper’s office, claimed that he was sexually harassed by Mr Slipper. In addition, Mr Ashby alleges that Mr Slipper misused Cabcharge vouchers. During the period of the investigation Mr Slipper did not perform his duties as Speaker in presiding over the House of Representatives. This role was performed by the then Deputy Speaker, Ms
REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER RESIGNS
Hon. Peter Slipper, MP
Anna Burke, MP. Mr Slipper did, however, continue to perform his administrative and ceremonial duties.
Opposition Leader Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, (right) walking past Prime Minister Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, during Question Time.
In October thousands of text messages between Mr Slipper and Mr Ashby were made public as part of the sexual harassment case against Mr Slipper. These messages revealed highly explicit and sexist comments about women. On 9 October, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, during question time asked the Prime Minister Hon. Julia Gillard, MP, whether she continued to have full confidence in Mr Slipper. The Prime Minister responded that sexism is offensive wherever it came from; but the Parliament should not be canvassing these matters at