NSW Labor MP steps down amid allegations
Walt Secord will stand aside from the shadow NSW ministry. Photo: Getty
Veteran NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord is standing down from his shadow ministries following allegations he bullied staff in parliament.
Mr Secord said he had considered the findings of a review into bullying and harassment in the NSW parliament and asked Labor leader Chris Minns to let him stand aside.
The long-awaited independent report by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick found sexual harassment and bullying was rife in the NSW parliament and several people reported incidents of sexual assault while at work.
Accusations of bullying were levelled at Mr Secord after the report was released on Friday and he apologised for his behaviour in dealing with staff.
“After long reflection and with more than 30 years in the Labor Party, I have asked NSW Labor leader Chris Minns to let me stand aside from the shadow ministry,” Mr Secord said inn a statement on Monday.
“Chris, myself, and the NSW Labor Party have committed to adopting the recommendations of the Broderick review and working across party lines to make the NSW Parliament and NSW politics a workplace we can all be proud of.
“I fully support the Broderick review and the change it will hopefully lead to.
“But my remaining in the shadow ministry at this time has become a distraction from these major revelations and the important work that needs to be done,” he said.
“I will be making no further comment.”
Mr Secord held the shadow ministries for the arts and heritage, police, counter terrorism and the NSW north coast.
Mr Secord’s apology on Friday acknowledged he could be “too blunt and too direct in a fast-paced workplace”.
“Especially in dealing with strict deadlines and highly stressful situations in a time sensitive, highly pressurised environment,” he said.
“If any parliamentary staff members feel that my conduct in the workplace was unprofessional and caused offence or distress and was unacceptable, I unreservedly apologise.”
He vowed to be “part of repairing the culture in state parliament” and to address his “shortcomings”.
-AAP
