Outstanding South Wales Labor determine Walt Secord has introduced his retirement from politics following accusations of bullying from colleagues.
Key factors:
- An ABC investigation uncovered allegations of bullying in opposition to Walt Secord
- Mr Secord apologised and admitted he might be too “direct” and “blunt”
- He stepped down from the frontbench final week and now has determined to not run within the state election subsequent March
Mr Secord, who was the shadow police minister, stepped down from the frontbench on Monday, saying his presence had change into a “distraction”.
In a press release issued this afternoon, Mr Secord stated he had now determined to not search one other time period within the NSW higher home.
He stated he was “proud” of his 11-year contribution to public life.
Final week Mr Secord “unreservedly apologised” for his conduct after the ABC spoke to several of his current and former colleagues who said he had engaged in bullying behaviour.
They spoke to the ABC in mild of the overview by former intercourse discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick into the workplace culture of the NSW parliament.
In a single submission to Ms Broderick’s investigation obtained by the ABC, a former staffer described Mr Secord as “a vicious manipulative bully who notably focused junior workers and younger ladies”.
“At numerous occasions he used his place, dimension and voice to strain, berate, intimidate and humiliate workers to get his personal approach, with no situation too petty to result in certainly one of his outbursts.”
That very same individual additionally detailed an incident in late 2020 the place Mr Secord entered the workplace of then-Labor chief Jodi McKay and described a staffer as “ineffective” and stated “let’s have it out” when others intervened. He was later banned from getting into the workplace.
There isn’t a suggestion Mr Secord’s alleged behaviour concerned any bodily or sexual violence or harassment.
Mr Secord, who had a number of shadow portfolios, acknowledged he might be “too blunt and too direct in a fast-paced office”, particularly with “strict deadlines and highly-stressful conditions”.
Within the days after the ABC investigation was printed, Labor Chief Chris Minns stated he had many colleagues contact him with complaints about Mr Secord.
“In every case and each case, these individuals have requested that it stay nameless and the circumstances referring to it stay confidential,” he stated.
In his announcement at the moment, Mr Secord stated over his time in politics he had labored to enhance well being and training requirements, assist for companies, social justice measures, animal welfare and most not too long ago the NSW ban on Nazi symbols.
“One of many highlights of my profession was to chair the impendent inquiry into the North Coast floods — permitting hundreds of households devastated by the pure catastrophe to have their voices heard by the parliament.”
The daddy-of-one was additionally the deputy chair of the NSW Parliamentary Associates of Israel and NSW Parliamentary Associates of Armenia.
In response to his retirement announcement, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies issued a press release describing Mr Secord as a “staunch and constant good friend to the Jewish neighborhood”.
“Our state is a greater place due to Walt’s tireless work throughout a number of portfolios over time,” the board stated.
Mr Secord grew up in an Indian reserve in southern Canada and stated Australia had given him alternatives past his “wildest expectations”.
