Labor’s candidate for Bega says she is “shocked” at the alleged behaviour of former state leader Luke Foley as news of an internal party poll has Labor leading in the electorate ahead of the March election.
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I feel troubled by the whole thing because there’s really bad behaviour across all political parties.
- Country Labor's Bega candidate Leanne Atkinson
Mr Foley stood down as NSW Labor Party leader on Thursday after an ABC journalist accused him of putting his hand through the back of her dress and inside her underwear at a Christmas party two years ago.
“This behaviour is unacceptable under any circumstances,” Country Labor’s Leanne Atkinson said on Monday.
“I have a no tolerance approach on this. We can’t have community leaders behaving like this.
“We have to call this behaviour out. No wonder the community has lost respect for people in politics from the way they behave.
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“It was really upsetting to hear,” she said.
Ms Atkinson said she is “angry” with the way in which NSW Corrections Minister David Elliott dealt with the issue after he raised the allegation under parliamentary privilege.
“It wasn’t his story to tell,” she said.
“He didn’t seek consent from the journalist. It’s a terrible situation she has been in, so to use that for political gain is unacceptable.
“His belated apology is not enough.”
New party leader and Maroubra MP Michael Daley now takes on the job just four months ahead of the state election, and Mr Foley is threatening to sue for defamation over the allegations.
“My heart goes out to this woman,” Ms Atkinson said.
“Even me making a statement about it fuels the story, so I feel very conflicted.
“I feel troubled by the whole thing because there’s really bad behaviour across all political parties.
“We need to lift the standard, and people need to recognise they are in the public eye. There’s no excuse for anything less.
“There’s also innocent bystanders, and when you cause this damage you affect many people.”
Mr Foley’s resignation comes as news reports an internal party poll puts Labor ahead in six seats, including Bega.
“I can’t take anyone or anything for granted,” Ms Atkinson said.
“It could be a single poll, or just canvassing a single demographic.”
The 2015 election saw Ms Atkinson claim 32.83 per cent of the vote, leading Mr Constance at only the Quaama, Tanja and Wyndham polling booths.
Bega MP and Transport Minister Andrew Constance secured victory with 53.24 per cent of the vote.
A win at next year’s election would see him reach 20 years as Bega MP in 2023.
“I can’t take my eye off the priority right now which is to talk to everybody and advocate for them,” Ms Atkinson said.
