Statement from Rene Hidding

As a husband, father and grandfather, I am hurt and deeply affronted by these false claims.

I’m not going to sit by silently and have my good name smeared any longer.

Ms Forrest, who I note is up for election in six months, is playing cheap politics with this issue, and I won’t stand for it anymore.

I apologised to Ms Forrest in good faith when she revealed she was upset by our argument, but it’s clear that she is now intent on playing politics with the issue in the most outrageous way.

I’m no longer going to sit silently by and allow this incident – an argument between two politicians – to be conflated into an incidence of family violence.

Nor does it have anything to do with gender – it doesn’t.

I’m no longer going to sit silently while I am effectively accused of encouraging violence against women.

And, it is an affront to the victims of family violence that Ms Forrest is attempting to make this link.

To be clear, there was no violence, there were no threats, there was no intimidation, there was no bullying, there was no harassment and there was no victimisation.

Two politicians had an argument, two politicians raised their voices.

The allegations made by Ms Forrest are outrageous, they are defamatory, and I will be considering all legal options against Ms Forrest and any other person or organisation who repeats these unsubstantiated claims.

And because I have nothing to hide, I will be writing to the Premier asking him to consider having my conduct referred to Parliament’s powerful House of Assembly Privileges Committee for investigation, so that my name can be cleared.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure