Take politics out of Ashby case: parties

18 May 2012, 11:46 am   -   Source: AAP

Senior politicians, including Tony Abbott, say the sexual harassment case against Speaker Peter Slipper shouldn't be a political issue.

Senior Labor and coalition figures say the sexual harassment case against Speaker Peter Slipper should be left to the courts and not politicians.

Slipper staffer James Ashby is taking the Speaker to the Federal Court over alleged sexual harassment.

Mr Ashby has also complained to the human rights commission over comments by Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce and Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

Earlier in May Senator Carr tweeted: "This Ashby seems more rehearsed than a kabuki actor."

Senator Joyce told reporters: "If you are going to play marriage guidance counsellor, you've got to hear both sides of the story."

He also said Mr Ashby was "only slightly less dodgy than Slipper".

There also are questions about contact between Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne and former Liberal minister Mal Brough with Mr Ashby before he took his legal action.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said sexual harassment was an extremely serious matter that should be left to the court.

"I think the government should never have made light of it," Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney.

"I think the matter should now be dealt with in the court without further commentary from politicians."

Treasurer Wayne Swan said the coalition had "a lot of explaining to do" over its contact with Mr Ashby.

"I do think that it shouldn't have become a political issue," Mr Swan told reporters in Brisbane.

"The way it has been handled particularly by the opposition is negative and I think unbecoming of our parliament."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard declined to comment on the issue, which went to the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday.

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