David Van Explained

Honorific Prefix:Senator
David Van
Office:Senator for Victoria
Term Start:1 July 2019
Birth Date:1964 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Melbourne, Victoria
Nationality:Australian
Party:Independent (since 2023)
Otherparty:Liberal (until 2023)
Residence:Melbourne
Occupation:Politician
Signature:David Van signature 2023.svg
Website:https://davidvan.com.au

David Allan Van (born 14 November 1964)[1] is an Australian politician. He was elected as a member of the Liberal Party and was sworn in as a federal senator representing the state of Victoria on 1 July 2019.

In June 2023, Van was accused of sexual assault by Senator Lidia Thorpe and former Senator Amanda Stoker.[2] In response, he was expelled from the Liberal party room, and resigned from the Liberal Party to sit as an independent in the Senate.[3]

Early life

Van has an undergraduate degree in horticulture, and as part of his degree studied the regeneration of Australian bush post the Ash Wednesday fires in the Blackwood forest that was burned as part of the Trentham East fire complex.[4]

Career

Prior to entering politics, Van was the managing director of South Melbourne public relations firm the De Wintern Group since 2003 where he advised clients on Royal Commissions and other Government inquiries. He was a board director of the Australian Association of Franchisees. A St Kilda resident, he was also the co-convenor of neighbourhood group Friends of St Kilda Hill, which was outspoken about crime and safety, specifically in relation to the Gatwick Hotel boarding house and public housing.[5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Van holds a Masters degree in International Relations from Monash University.[10]

Politics

Van was elected to the Senate at the 2019 federal election from the marginal third position on the Liberal ticket.[11] He was assigned a party role as "patron" for the Labor-held House seat of Dunkley. In his first speech in September 2019, Van spoke of his belief in the "dignity of work", defended the coalition government's welfare policies, and stated that he believed in "free markets, freedom of speech, and most importantly in my view, getting government out of people's lives to the most practicable extent possible".[12]

Van has worked to ensure projects of national significance such as the 310 St Kilda Rd project are properly maintained, after using Senate Estimates to question the Department of Defence on the state of disrepair the site was in which helped prompt a government review.[13]

In 2020 and 2021, Van advocated for the LAND 8116 self-propelled artillery project contract to be awarded to Hanwha, who would build 30 self-propelled howitzers and 15 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles for the army in Geelong, Victoria.[14] [15]

In February 2021, Van called for an independent review into ABC complaints.[16]

As Chair of the Parliamentary friends of Ukraine, Van has been a proponent for providing support for Ukraine, regularly raising Ukraine’s need for Australian support and the geopolitical impact of the war in Parliament and attending several rallies with the Ukrainian community.[17]

Until his expulsion from the parliamentary Liberal party in June 2023, Van was a member of several committees including the Joint Standing Committees for Trade & Investment Growth and Treaties, as well as Senate Select Committee for Foreign Interference through Social Media, Senate Committee on Environment & Communication and Legal & Constitutional Affairs.[1]

Van was a member of the centre-right faction of the Liberal Party during the Morrison government years,[18] but became factionally unaligned after the 2022 Australian federal election.[19]

Controversies

Allegations of sexual misconduct

2021

In November 2021, then Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was "disappointed" after claims that Van had made "growling and dog noises" at Senator Jacqui Lambie as she spoke during Senate Question Time, on the same day as the Sex Discrimination Commissioner released a report into harassment and workplace culture at Parliament House.[20] Van later "apologised unreservedly" for interjecting but denied making "growling noises".[21]

2023

In June 2023, under parliamentary privilege, Senator Lidia Thorpe accused Van of sexual assault.

Former Liberal National Senator Amanda Stoker released a statement alleging that she had also been inappropriately touched by Van.[22] [23] Stoker accused Van of squeezing her buttocks twice at a social gathering in November 2020. She said she raised the issue with Van the next day and he apologised.[24]

Van was expelled from the parliamentary Liberal party room by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton after additional allegations of misconduct were raised with him, requiring him to sit on the Senate cross bench. Van denies all of the allegations.[25] [26] The following day on radio station 2GB Dutton urged him to resign, saying "I think it is in everyone’s best interest that he resign from the parliament and I hope he’s able to do that sooner than later. And, and seek the help that he needs".[27]

In July 2023 it was reported that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) undertook an extensive investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Senator Van while he was on an ADF parliament program voyage in July 2021, and that the office of then Prime Minister Scott Morrison was notified and declined to take any action.[28]

Alleged abuse of office

In December 2023, Van was reported as using "taxpayer funded resources for pleasure and private business endeavours". A Current Affair and The Age accused Van of using his parliamentary email address to discuss private business matters related to his former public relations firm, and using his official Instagram account to harass women.[29] [30]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Senator David Van. Parliament of Australia. 12 September 2020. 21 September 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200921043918/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=283601. live.
  2. News: 16 June 2023 . Peter Dutton calls for Liberal senator to resign after third inappropriate touching allegation . . 16 June 2023 . Amy . Remeikis . 16 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230616021501/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/16/peter-dutton-calls-for-liberal-senator-to-resign-after-third-inappropriate-touching-allegation . live .
  3. News: Senator David Van resigns from Liberal Party following allegations of inappropriate behaviour . ABC News . 17 June 2023 . 17 June 2023 . 17 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230617111151/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-17/senator-david-van-resigns-from-liberal-party/102492092 . live .
  4. Web site: Statement - Australian Bushfires . Senator David Van . 13 May 2020 .
  5. Web site: Victoria . The Poll Bludger . 22 March 2020 . 21 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200321220417/https://www.pollbludger.net/fed2019/Senate_Vic.htm . live .
  6. Web site: Board Members . Australian Association of Franchisees . 22 March 2020 . 21 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200321220417/https://franchiseesaustralia.com.au/board-members/ . live .
  7. Web site: Lunch with new Dunkley patron Senator David Van . 3 September 2019 . Committee for Greater Frankston . 22 March 2020 . 21 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200321220415/https://c4gf.com.au/events-mec/lunch-with-health-minister-greg-hunt-and-victorian-liberal-senator-david-van/ . live .
  8. News: Gatwick saga plot twist . Caulfield Glen Eira / Port Phillip Leader . 6 November 2018.
  9. News: Social housing breakdown . Caulfield Glen Eira / Port Phillip Leader . 5 March 2019.
  10. Web site: About . Senator David Van . 27 May 2022 . 27 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220527085825/https://www.davidvan.com.au/about . live .
  11. News: Derryn Hinch, Labor lose out as Victorian Senate spots are finalised. The Australian. 19 June 2019. 19 June 2019. 11 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220611123453/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/derryn-hinch-labor-lose-out-as-victorian-senate-spots-are-finalised/news-story/dc90a0a323113855a0f14c95c2b554f6. live.
  12. News: Matt. Coughlan. Liberal senator aims to defends democracy. 10 September 2019. The Canberra Times. 15 June 2023. 21 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230821104644/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6378536/liberal-senator-aims-to-defends-democracy/. live.
  13. News: Car . Sean . At last! Progress on 310 St Kilda Rd as Morrison Government announces review . Southbank News . 21 June 2022 . 18 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221018180920/https://www.southbanklocalnews.com.au/at-last-progress-on-310-st-kilda-rd-as-morrison-government-announces-review . live .
  14. Web site: Hanhwa Defence Australia unveils redback and signs MOU with Victorian Government . Geelong Advertiser . 21 June 2022 . 3 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240503053853/https://login.newscorpaustralia.com/authorize?client_id=O4L1VeAatkTgDxyODmLAS4ZB6NUgoO6k&response_type=token%20id_token&scope=openid%20profile&audience=newscorpaustralia&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Fremote%2Fidentity%2Fauth%2Flatest%2Flogin%2Fcallback.html&state=eKzo46PTOb0fCca99-z0AQzaHO.c5RmT&nonce=LTyUqyZ6XX71t3i.Tg21Kv7Eg_j41flt&response_mode=web_message&prompt=none&auth0Client=eyJuYW1lIjoiYXV0aDAuanMiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjoiOS4yNC4xIn0%3D . live .
  15. Web site: Fowler . Michael . Victoria and Korean manufacturer fight Queensland for $27b defence contract . 12 January 2021 . The Age . 21 June 2022 . 21 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621102603/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-and-korean-manufacturer-fight-queensland-for-27b-defence-contract-20210112-p56tjc.html . live .
  16. Web site: Senator David Van calls for independent review of ABC complaints . . 2021-02-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221124175954/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/senator-david-van-calls-for-independent-review-of-abc-complaints/news-story/b5b3cb4552c633bf1d396cc0bd1be943 . 2022-11-24 . live . Vitorovich . Lilly.
  17. Web site: Van . David . Europe can't pass the buck on Ukraine . Lowy Institute . 21 June 2022 . 3 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703045038/https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/europe-can-t-pass-buck-ukraine . live .
  18. Web site: Massola . James . Who's who in the Liberals' left, right and centre factions? . The Sydney Morning Herald . 20 March 2021 . Fairfax Media . 1 February 2022 . 22 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210322020317/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-who-in-the-liberals-left-right-and-centre-factions-20210303-p577gv.html . live .
  19. Web site: Massola . James . How Morrison’s shattering defeat gave Dutton a seismic shift in factional power . The Sydney Morning Herald . 4 December 2023 . 10 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410122913/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html . live .
  20. News: 2021-11-30 . PM disappointed government senator reportedly growled at Jacqui Lambie . 2024-05-03 . ABC News . en-AU . 15 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240215004233/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-01/scott-morrison-disappointed-senator-growling-jacqui-lambie/100663842 . live .
  21. Web site: December 2021 . Scott Morrison 'disappointed' by David Van's interjections after claims he made 'dog noises' at Jacqui Lambie . . 8 June 2023 . 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604194924/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/01/scott-morrison-disappointed-by-david-vans-interjections-after-claims-he-made-dog-noises-at-jacqui-lambie . live .
  22. Web site: Former senator Amanda Stoker accuses Van of sexual harassment . . James . Massola . Angus . Thompson . Alex . Crowe . 2023-06-15 . 2023-06-15 . 15 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230615102808/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/former-liberal-senator-amanda-stoker-accuses-david-van-of-sexual-harassment-20230615-p5dgz6.html . live .
  23. Web site: One step forward, two back: The dark days of 2021 return to parliament . . Lisa . Visentin . 2023-06-15 . 2023-06-16 . 15 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230615182303/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/one-step-forward-two-back-the-dark-days-of-2021-return-to-parliament-20230615-p5dgt8.html?btis . live .
  24. Web site: David van update: Dutton says another allegation raised against Senator David van after allegations from former Liberal Senator Amanda Stoker and Senator Lidia Thorpe . 15 June 2023 . 15 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230615220636/https://amp.9news.com.au/article/5931ef27-ccc2-4c2e-a31a-86cc40894252 . live .
  25. News: Hegarty. Nicole. Borys. Stephanie. 2023-06-14. Lidia Thorpe in the Senate accuses Liberal David Van of sexual assault, but later withdraws comments. en-AU. ABC News. 2023-06-14. 14 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614231142/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-14/lidia-thorpe-senate-accuses-david-van-sexual-assault/102480086. live.
  26. News: Remeikis . Amy . 2023-06-15 . Australia politics live: Peter Dutton says David Van will no longer sit in Liberal party room . en-GB . the Guardian . 2023-06-15 . 0261-3077 . 15 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230615042418/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/jun/15/australia-politics-live-lidia-thorpe-david-van-sexual-assault-parliament-senate-brittany-higgins-peter-dutton-anthony-albanese-indigenous-vo-national-gun-register-cost-of-living . live .
  27. News: May . Natasha . 2023-06-16 . Australia news live: Thorpe says reaction to her allegations showed 'systemic racism'; AGL lifts power bills 30% and reveals $285m profit . en-GB . the Guardian . 2023-06-16 . 0261-3077 . 16 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230616022959/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2023/jun/16/australia-news-david-van-lidia-thorpe-amanda-stoker-indigenous-voice-cost-of-living-interest-rates-james-hardy . live .
  28. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/scott-morrisons-pmo-knew-of-serious-david-van-allegations/news-story/36bd0191369b092ff4a71fa18273b608
  29. Web site: Senator David Van faces scrutiny over 'Senator six-pack' Instagram messages . 2023-12-04 . 9now.nine.com.au . en-AU . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204201304/https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/victorian-senator-david-van-instagram-messages-investigation-parliamentary-resources-senatorsixpack/5ed79da0-6773-46e6-89f8-c6278833855b . live .
  30. Web site: Sakkal . Paul . 2023-12-04 . ‘Senator sixpack’ David Van used official Instagram to chat up women . 2023-12-04 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204201306/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senator-sixpack-david-van-used-official-instagram-to-chat-up-women-20230706-p5dm7i.html . live .

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