In December 2019 Sam Duluk, although not invited, crashed a Christmas Party at Parliament House.

While there he sexually harassed staff members. He described a sexual act he wished to perform to a female staff member and he also sexually assaulted a co-worker by slapping her on the behind. Sam Duluk was asked to leave by another MP as he was not invited and his behaviour was offensive. He refused, and this led to a heated argument. 

Despite Steven Marshall and the Liberal Party of SA being aware of these acts, nothing was done. Sam Duluk did not apologise until after the story was made public. When that apology finally came via Twitter, it stated he was “sorry for any actions that have caused offence”. This is not a real apology as it fails to recognise the gravity of his unacceptable actions. 

Even though the leader of the Liberal Government, Steven Marshall said that Sam Duluk’s actions were “completely & utterly unacceptable” Sam remains as a member of his party, having only stepped down from one parliamentary committee to date. 

“This Liberal MP has clearly sexually harassed a woman in the workplace,” Dr Close said. In a letter to leaders of Parliament, another MP spoke of concern over the conduct of Sam Duluk and others, stating “cumulative and long-standing harassing behaviours in this toxic workplace has exacerbated my distress and disgust”.  

Sam Duluk must resign as a representative of the Liberal party, of the electorate Waite and South Australia. There is no room in any workplace for sexual misconduct. Women must be able to feel safe in the workplace. 

The matter could also be referred to Equal Opportunity Commissioner Niki Vincent.” Sexual harassment is very prevalent in the workplace,” Dr Vincent said. “National surveys suggest that one-in-four women experience sexual harassment in the workplace, and one-in-six men also report experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace.”