AUSTRALIA
The Independent (United Kingdom)
Roger Maynard
Sydney
Monday 23 April 2012
Australia’s minority Labour government was embroiled in a crisis last night after the Speaker of the Federal Parliament agreed to step aside, pending an investigation into allegations he sexually harassed a male member of his staff and misused travel entitlements.
Peter Slipper, who resigned from the Liberal coalition last November after accepting Labour’s invitation to become Speaker in the House of Representatives, was accused of making “unwelcome advances”to his media adviser and abusing his taxi vouchers.
A father-of-three and ordained priest in the Traditional Anglican Communion Church, Mr Slipper “emphatically”denied the allegations but said it was appropriate to stand aside until the criminal investigation was resolved. “Once it is clear they are untrue, I shall return to the Speakership,” he said.
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