Australian lawmaker, Senator David Van from the opposition Liberal Party was suspended, on Thursday (June 15) by his party members after he was accused of sexual assault in the parliament House by a female colleague. This came after an Australian senator Lidia Thorpe alleged that she was aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched by another senator in parliament House and said it was “not a safe place” for women to work.

<h2>'Not a safe place' for women: Thorpe’s allegations&nbsp;</h2>

In a tearful address to the parliament, an independent senator Thorpe, on Thursday said that she had been subjected to “sexual comments”, followed and cornered in a stairwell, “inappropriately touched” and “propositioned” by “powerful men” and went to call the Australian parliament&nbsp;“not a safe place for women”.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Australian senator Lidia Thorpe alleges sexual assault in Parliament house

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This was a day after the independent senator accused Van of “sexually assaulting” her but was later reportedly forced to withdraw the remark under threat of parliamentary sanction. However, on Thursday, she reiterated the core of her allegations against her colleague and said that she acknowledges “sexual assault” would mean different things to different people and said she would speak about her experience but&nbsp;did not name Van or say when the incidents occurred.&nbsp;

“What I experienced was being followed, aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched,” Thorpe told the Senate where her remarks are protected by parliamentary privilege, which means that these allegations would not invoke Australia’s severe defamation laws. However, the independent senator has said Van had engaged lawyers in the matter.

In 2021, as per AFP, Van was forced to move his parliamentary office away from Thorpe’s.&nbsp;However, the reason for this was not mentioned, while both senators have previously acknowledged that it did happen. Thorpe also spoke about how she was “afraid” of walking out of her office.&nbsp;

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“I would open the door slightly and check the coast was clear before stepping out,” said the independent senator, adding that it got to a degree where “I had to be accompanied by someone whenever I walked inside this building".

“I know there are others that have experienced similar things and have not come forward in the interest of their careers and in fear that they would be presented to the world by the media in the same way that I have been today,” said Thorpe.&nbsp;

After Thorpe’s speech,&nbsp;former senator Amanda Stoker from Van’s Liberal Party also accused him of “squeezing my bottom twice” at a party in 2020, as per local media reports. In a statement to the local media, Stoker also said that the alleged incident took place at an “informal social gathering in a parliamentary office”.&nbsp;

<h2>‘Scandalous’: Van about the allegations, suspension</h2>

In a statement published after Thorpe’s speech, Van denied the allegations calling them “scandalous” and “outrageous”. He also said that would “fully cooperate with the investigators and answer any questions that they may have of me and Senator Thorpe should do the same”.&nbsp;

He also went on to accuse the independent senator of “bringing the Senate into disrepute” and “cowering under the umbrella of parliamentary privilege”. However, Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has since suspended Van after “further allegations” had been raised against him.

ALSO READ |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-court-begins-trial-of-former-staffer-bruce-lehrmann-accused-of-sexual-assault-in-parliament-house-522340">&nbsp;Australian court begins trial of former staffer Bruce Lehrmann accused of sexual assault in Parliament House</a>

Notably, Van’s removal from the Liberal Party’s parliamentary caucus does not amount to his ouster from the parliament but rather he would now be an independent. Since 2021, Australian politics has witnessed several high-profile allegations of sexual assault and harassment inside the Parliament House.&nbsp;

Thorpe’s allegations also follow former political aide Brittany Higgins’ accusations against former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann of alleged sexual assault and rape which was said to have happened at the former defence minister’s office.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Australian lawmaker, Senator David Van from the opposition Liberal Party was suspended, on Thursday (June 15) by his party members after he was accused of sexual assault in the parliament House by a female colleague.

Australian lawmaker, Senator David Van from the opposition Liberal Party was suspended, on Thursday (June 15) by his party members after he was accused of sexual assault in the parliament House by a female colleague. This came after an Australian senator Lidia Thorpe alleged that she was aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched by another senator in parliament House and said it was “not a safe place” for women to work. 'Not a safe place' for women: Thorpe’s allegations In a tearful address to the parliament, an independent senator Thorpe, on Thursday said that she had been subjected to “sexual comments”, followed and cornered in a stairwell, “inappropriately touched” and “propositioned” by “powerful men” and went to call the Australian parliament “not a safe place for women”. ALSO WATCH | Australian senator Lidia Thorpe alleges sexual assault in Parliament house This was a day after the independent senator accused Van of “sexually assaulting” her but was later reportedly forced to withdraw the remark under threat of parliamentary sanction. However, on Thursday, she reiterated the core of her allegations against her colleague and said that she acknowledges “sexual assault” would mean different things to different people and said she would speak about her experience but did not name Van or say when the incidents occurred. “What I experienced was being followed, aggressively propositioned and inappropriately touched,” Thorpe told the Senate where her remarks are protected by parliamentary privilege, which means that these allegations would not invoke Australia’s severe defamation laws. However, the independent senator has said Van had engaged lawyers in the matter. In 2021, as per AFP, Van was forced to move his parliamentary office away from Thorpe’s. However, the reason for this was not mentioned, while both senators have previously acknowledged that it did happen. Thorpe also spoke about how she was “afraid” of walking out of her office. ALSO READ | Australia Parliament rape trial jury discharged over 'misconduct' “I would open the door slightly and check the coast was clear before stepping out,” said the independent senator, adding that it got to a degree where “I had to be accompanied by someone whenever I walked inside this building". “I know there are others that have experienced similar things and have not come forward in the interest of their careers and in fear that they would be presented to the world by the media in the same way that I have been today,” said Thorpe. After Thorpe’s speech, former senator Amanda Stoker from Van’s Liberal Party also accused him of “squeezing my bottom twice” at a party in 2020, as per local media reports. In a statement to the local media, Stoker also said that the alleged incident took place at an “informal social gathering in a parliamentary office”. ‘Scandalous’: Van about the allegations, suspension In a statement published after Thorpe’s speech, Van denied the allegations calling them “scandalous” and “outrageous”. He also said that would “fully cooperate with the investigators and answer any questions that they may have of me and Senator Thorpe should do the same”. He also went on to accuse the independent senator of “bringing the Senate into disrepute” and “cowering under the umbrella of parliamentary privilege”. However, Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has since suspended Van after “further allegations” had been raised against him. ALSO READ | Australian court begins trial of former staffer Bruce Lehrmann accused of sexual assault in Parliament House Notably, Van’s removal from the Liberal Party’s parliamentary caucus does not amount to his ouster from the parliament but rather he would now be an independent. Since 2021, Australian politics has witnessed several high-profile allegations of sexual assault and harassment inside the Parliament House. Thorpe’s allegations also follow former political aide Brittany Higgins’ accusations against former Liberal Party staffer Bruce Lehrmann of alleged sexual assault and rape which was said to have happened at the former defence minister’s office. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Australian lawmaker David Van suspended amid accusations of sexual assault by female senator

Canadian member of parliament Han Dong has stepped down from the Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations that he was involved in Chinese political interference. According to a report by Global News on Wednesday (March 24), Dong had advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that China should not release two Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — held there on&nbsp;espionage charges.&nbsp;

Spavor and Kovrig later returned to Canada in September 2021 after Chinese executive Meng Wanzhou was released from house arrest in Canada following a deal.&nbsp;Wanzhou, a&nbsp;Huawei senior executive, was put in house arrest in Canada on the request of the US&nbsp;which was seeking her extradition on fraud charges.

Citing unconfirmed media reports, the news agency Reuters reported on Thursday that Dong was accused of having ties to the Beijing government.&nbsp;

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The MP denied has denied all the allegations. Addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, Dong said, "I have informed the prime minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party caucus that I will be sitting as an Independent at the conclusion of these remarks. Mr Speaker, I am in your hands as to what happens next."

Dong said that the allegations made against him were false, adding, he would never advocate or support the violation of the basic human rights of any Canadian, according to the Global News report. Dong further said he would sit as an independent in parliament and leave the Liberal caucus.&nbsp;

"Sitting (in) the government caucus is a privilege and my presence there may be seen by some as a conflict of duty and the wrong place to be as an independent investigation pursues the facts," he said.&nbsp;

Dong's remarks come after opposition party leaders said that the allegations against him regarding Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig underscored the need for a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada.&nbsp;

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These are serious reports of actions that threaten the core of our Canadian democracy. 
 
No more hiding. No more cover up. 
 
Open, public, independent inquiry now: <a href="https://t.co/Bq8SOvYMso">https://t.co/Bq8SOvYMso</a> <a href="https://t.co/QBE7dSkYOT">https://t.co/QBE7dSkYOT</a>
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) <a href="https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1638671660227215360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Taking to Twitter, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said early Friday, "These are serious reports of actions that threaten the core of our Canadian democracy. No more hiding. No more cover-up. Open, public, independent inquiry now."

New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, meanwhile, said that if the allegations were true, the safety of Canadians was put at risk for political gain.&nbsp;

Speaking to Global News on Wednesday, two national security sources said that Han Dong allegedly suggested to China’s consul general in Toronto Han Tao that if Beijing released Spavor and Kovrig, the opposition Conservatives would benefit.&nbsp;

The sources added that Dong also allegedly recommended that China showed some progress in these two cases and that such a move would help the Liberal government which was facing an uproar over Beijing's inhumane treatment of Spavor&nbsp;and Kovrig.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Canadian member of parliament Han Dong has stepped down from the Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations that he was involved in Chinese political interference.

Canadian member of parliament Han Dong has stepped down from the Liberal Party led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over allegations that he was involved in Chinese political interference. According to a report by Global News on Wednesday (March 24), Dong had advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that China should not release two Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — held there on espionage charges. Spavor and Kovrig later returned to Canada in September 2021 after Chinese executive Meng Wanzhou was released from house arrest in Canada following a deal. Wanzhou, a Huawei senior executive, was put in house arrest in Canada on the request of the US which was seeking her extradition on fraud charges. Citing unconfirmed media reports, the news agency Reuters reported on Thursday that Dong was accused of having ties to the Beijing government. ALSO READ | Canada assures safety of Indian diplomatic missions amidst Khalistani protests The MP denied has denied all the allegations. Addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday, Dong said, "I have informed the prime minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party caucus that I will be sitting as an Independent at the conclusion of these remarks. Mr Speaker, I am in your hands as to what happens next." Dong said that the allegations made against him were false, adding, he would never advocate or support the violation of the basic human rights of any Canadian, according to the Global News report. Dong further said he would sit as an independent in parliament and leave the Liberal caucus. "Sitting (in) the government caucus is a privilege and my presence there may be seen by some as a conflict of duty and the wrong place to be as an independent investigation pursues the facts," he said. Dong's remarks come after opposition party leaders said that the allegations against him regarding Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig underscored the need for a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada. These are serious reports of actions that threaten the core of our Canadian democracy. No more hiding. No more cover up. Open, public, independent inquiry now: https://t.co/Bq8SOvYMso https://t.co/QBE7dSkYOT — Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 22, 2023 × Taking to Twitter, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said early Friday, "These are serious reports of actions that threaten the core of our Canadian democracy. No more hiding. No more cover-up. Open, public, independent inquiry now." New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, meanwhile, said that if the allegations were true, the safety of Canadians was put at risk for political gain. Speaking to Global News on Wednesday, two national security sources said that Han Dong allegedly suggested to China’s consul general in Toronto Han Tao that if Beijing released Spavor and Kovrig, the opposition Conservatives would benefit. The sources added that Dong also allegedly recommended that China showed some progress in these two cases and that such a move would help the Liberal government which was facing an uproar over Beijing's inhumane treatment of Spavor and Kovrig. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canadian MP Han Dong quits party over allegations of Chinese interference: Report

Canadians began voting on Monday to determine whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who swept into office four years ago as a charismatic figure promising "sunny ways," will remain in power after two major scandals.

Canadians began voting on Monday to determine whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who swept into office four years ago as a charismatic figure promising "sunny ways," will remain in power after two major scandals. Polls opened in the Atlantic province of Newfoundland, with voting set to end in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia at 7pm (0200 GMT on Tuesday). Trudeau, 47, the Liberal Party leader, was endorsed by former Democratic US President Barack Obama in the final stretch of the campaign and is viewed as one of the last remaining progressive leaders among the world's major democracies. But he was shaken during the campaign by a blackface scandal and has been dogged by criticism of his handling of a corruption case involving a major Canadian construction company. Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has also had to overcome a sense of fatigue with his government. Trudeau, accompanied by his wife and three children, voted in Montreal on Monday after a marathon sprint campaigning across the country in the past four days. His Liberals and the main opposition Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer are in a neck-and-neck race, according to opinion polls. "The truth is it's a coin toss right now," said Ipsos pollster Darrell Bricker. A year ago, no one would have predicted that Trudeau risked being the first prime minister since the 1930s to secure a parliamentary majority and then fail to win a second term. The latest opinion polls suggest he may narrowly avert that result and could return to office with a minority in the 338-seat House of Commons. That would still leave Trudeau in a weakened position and needing the support of left-leaning opposition parties to push through key pieces of legislation. The Canadian dollar was trading at a new three-month high on Monday, where "domestic attention is squarely on the 43rd federal election today," said Shaun Osborne, chief market strategist at Scotiabank in Toronto. "After some noise around the vote, we think FX players will refocus attention on the Bank of Canada policy outlook, the Fed and international backdrop pretty quickly," he said. Despite Scheer's dimpled smile, Trudeau's main rival has proven to be a determined opponent. "He can't even remember how many times he put blackface on, because the fact of the matter is he's always wearing a mask," Scheer said during a debate. "Mr. Trudeau, you are a phony and you are a fraud and you do not deserve to govern this country." In his bid to unseat Trudeau, Scheer is also promising to balance the federal budget and eliminate a "carbon tax" on fossil fuels. Scheer, 40, is running his first campaign as party leader after winning a bitter Conservative leadership fight in 2017. Bumpy campaign ride The six-week official campaign period has been a rough and meandering ride with dirty tactics on both sides. The liberal image of Trudeau, who has championed diversity as prime minister and whose father opened up the country to mass immigration, took a severe blow when pictures emerged early in the campaign of him wearing blackface in the early 1990s and in 2001. Trudeau had already been wrestling with the fallout from accusations he pressured his justice minister to help shield engineering firm SNC-Lavalin Group Inc <SNC.TO> from corruption charges. In August, a top watchdog said Trudeau breached ethics rules. Given the fact that neither of the front-runners could come away with a parliamentary majority, it is the smaller left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) or the separatist Bloc Quebecois that could end up holding the balance of power. "I am a lifelong Liberal voter and I am stumped on this one, mostly because I am really concerned about a Conservative win and just trying to figure out how to vote strategically," said Kristin Street, 33, a strategy manager at a computer games company, in Port Moody, British Columbia. EKOS Research pollster Frank Graves said Liberals needed turnout to be similar to four years ago or otherwise the Conservatives may have an edge. "We may well be waiting until the final vote tallies in British Columbia to see who will win on Monday," Graves said.

Canada votes as Trudeau, his 'sunny ways' dimmed by scandals, seeks to retain power