Leader ‘needs to stop CLP bullying’
LONG-time members of the Country Liberal Party hope the election of Fiona Darcy will crack down on alleged bullying in the party.
One party member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they hoped Ms Darcy would be more proactive in cracking down on bullying within the party.
“I know of at least five complaints about bullying to the CLP and nothing has been done to address the ( complaints),” the insider said.
“The CLP needs a change in leadership and culture, and become the strong opposition it should be – with the overall aim to win the next election.”
The insider said they still believed the CLP could weather the numerous challenges it faced at present, despite admitting they were experiencing mass membership cancellations.
“I think the CLP, if they can clean up their act and become a strong cohesive party, they’re the best chance the NT has to get back on track,” they said.
The CLP was contacted for comment on alleged bullying claims.
Many high-profile members of the CLP, past and present, have denied the party has a specific problem with women.
But former CLP Senator Sam McMahon said she left the party because she felt unsafe at the party’s central council meetings.
Senator McMahon said complaints she had made to the CLP were ignored, a claim the party has denied.
Former CLP member Kezia Purick has previously said she felt many people needed to distinguish between heated discussions in politics and actual bullying.
“I think we’ve got to be very clear … bullying versus social conflict,” Ms Purick told Mix 104.9 earlier this month.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro has on multiple occasions denied having ever experienced any form of discrimination or bulling in the party.