No MP defends Slipper's texts: Plibersek

10 Oct 2012, 7:56 am   -   Source: AAP
Ms Plibersek said Mr Slipper took the correct action in resigning. (AAP)

Ms Plibersek said Mr Slipper took the correct action in resigning. (AAP)

Health minister Tanya Plibersek says no government MP has condoned the denigrating language of former Speaker Peter Slipper about women.

RELATED

Health minister Tanya Plibersek says no government MP has condoned the denigrating language of former Speaker Peter Slipper about women.

Mr Slipper resigned voluntarily as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday following the recent release of court documents in a sexual harassment case against him by his staffer James Ashby.

The documents revealed a series of SMS messages allegedly sent by Mr Slipper to Mr Ashby with references to female genitalia among the texts.

"Not a single person in this parliament on our side anywhere has defended this use of language," Ms Plibersek told ABC Television on Tuesday.

"It has been roundly criticised by the prime minister, by all of us as ministers on the public record today in the parliament, in the media, no one had defended the use of this language."

Ms Plibersek said Mr Slipper took the correct action in resigning.

"That's the right thing after the disclosure of the text messages, which did contain some very offensive language," she said.

But Ms Plibersek reiterated the Federal Parliament was not a "kangaroo court".

Mr Ashby took Slipper to the Federal Court in April where he claimed misuse of taxi dockets and sexual harassment.

"The idea that we make judgments and take people's roles away from them based on these allegations, I don't think is the proper role of the parliament of Australia," she said.

Anna Burke, deputy to Mr Slipper before his resignation, was elected unopposed to the Speaker's chair later on Tuesday.

Ms Plibersek said the MP for the Victorian seat of Chisholm would be an excellent Speaker.

"She has a real style about her," Ms Plibersek said.

"Anna is a very practical person, very sensible and down to earth, she will do an excellent job."

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube