Vince Catania denies bullying fellow Nationals MP Jacqui Boydell

Nationals MP Vince Catania has denied allegations of bullying a female member of his party after she spoke out last week about “bullying, threats and intimidation” within internal ranks. Last Tuesday in Parliament WA Nationals Member for Mining and Pastoral Region Jacqui Boydell said she could not remain silent anymore after watching a Four Corners investigation the night before into sexism in Federal politics. Mr Catania, the Carnarvon-based member North West Central, was accused the next day by Labor Transport Minister Rita Saffioti — using parliamentary privilege — of creating division in the National Party and intimidating and bullying its members. Mr Catania, who defected from Labor to the Nationals in 2009, told the Midwest Times yesterday Labor had made “incorrect assumptions” into what Mrs Boydell had said. “This is just typical muck raking by the Labor Party, they still haven’t got over the fact I left 11 years ago,” he said. “Perhaps they should have a look inside their own party instead of flinging mud. “These allegations are being dealt with by The National Party and I am looking forward to a resolution so we can go forward.” Mrs Boydell last week said as a senior member of the Nationals WA, she had previously stood by and remained silent when she witnessed actions she did not think to be “acceptable”. “Indeed, there have been situations in which I have found myself subject to bullying, threats and intimidation,” she said. “I have worked extremely hard for the party to promote regional development, women and social issues, but I have remained silent on those issues in the interests of the party, and I have let myself down in the process. “But, worse than that, I have let down women who stand behind me in the lay organisation who have also suffered these issues.” Nationals WA acting State director of operations Jack Mallick said the party’s State president and State director would work with Mrs Boydell to address the issues that have been raised. “The Nationals WA do not accept inappropriate behaviour, bullying or intimidatory behaviour in our organisation,” he said. “Over the past three years there has been a code of conduct and a formal complaints process developed to address complaints made to the party. “We acknowledge that these processes can always be improved and continue to work to ensure our organisation is a safe environment. “Any complaint or grievance against the conduct of a party member, volunteer or employee will be treated seriously and addressed through the processes in place.” After Mrs Boydell’s 10-minute speech, Education Minister Sue Ellery told Parliament she admired Mrs Boydell for “speaking up.” “It is very difficult for a member of an established political party to do what (Mrs Boydell) just did,” she said. “Our parties are old; they have lots of traditions and lots conventions, all of which were started by men. It is very, very difficult to challenge some of the things that we saw exposed last night (on Four Corners). “(Mrs Boydell) will not come back after the election. She could have chosen to say nothing and to move on with her life...I want to place on the record my admiration for you for speaking up tonight, because the culture of politics is that some will seek to make you pay even more of a price than you have already paid — so, kudos!” Mr Catania’s electorate covers the Upper Gascoyne, Murchison, Yalgoo, Meekatharra, Cue and Mount Magnet.