Ben McGregor Statement

Statement – Ben McGregor, 15 March 2022

Statement

Today is a day of relief and recognition for me, for my family, and for my friends, all whom have been dragged through this mess.

Nearly 12 months ago on the eve of the state election my life was turned upside down when a confidential complaint about a text message I sent 7 years ago to a friend was leaked to the media.  The complaint was leaked prior to me being able to respond and prior to any formal process beginning.

At the time the complaint was leaked I was afforded no opportunity to defend myself by the ALP through its own formal internal process. I was accused and politically executed. The complaint (Statutory Declaration) was not confidentially investigated before being made public. This was contrary to the rules of the ALP Tasmania Branch, and most importantly, it was leaked against the wishes of the complainant. The strategic purpose of the leaking of the statutory declaration was to cause maximum damage to me as part of a campaign to hurt me and my political ambitions and achieve the leakers desired political outcomes. It achieved that purpose.

After the damage to me was done, an independent investigator engaged by the ALP after months of me advocating for it, cast doubt on the accuracy of the contents of the statutory declaration. After receiving the findings, the ALP did not conduct an internal review about the leaking of the complaint, rather it proceeded to undemocratically remove me as President of the Party. A position I held with pride and conviction being the first rank and file President in many years elected by an overwhelming majority vote of the rank and file. I have, as a result, lost many friends in the Party. The Party whose true values I continue to believe in.

Because of the ALPs actions, and the significant damage caused to me and my family, I had no choice but to commence proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia to defend my reputation.

These court proceedings have now resolved. The complainant has confirmed I never sexually harassed her. She has apologised to me and my family for the hurt that has occurred. (Attached)

In adding to this, I do not want the person who made this complaint victimised or attacked. I wish her only the best and thank her for her willingness to set the record straight. She deserved better. She deserved to have her confidence respected and her complaint investigated. She was cruelly used, as was I, in a calculated political hit job by the leakers of her complaint. The leak sought to weaponise the justified public outrage at the treatment of women, to achieve selfish political ends. This was a disgraceful act by those involved.

Senior Labor Party members have failed in providing leadership in my case. They failed to follow their own process, betrayed the confidence of the complainant and deliberately leaked the complaint for selfish political gain. I yet again request that the ALP conduct an independent investigation into the leaking of the complaint and call on the person(s) who leaked the complaint to come forward and apologise to both the complainant, me and my family, whose confidence they betrayed and the hurt they caused.

I have been profoundly affected by this experience both personally and professionally. My family have been significantly impacted, especially my children.  I am left feeling betrayed by the Party I have given many years of service to, I have been let down by Senior Members of the party who, for their own political motives, allowed this to happen.

I am looking forward to spending time with my family and attempting to repair the harm done.