Tas Labor leader 'untenable' after claims
Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor says the position of state Labor leader David O'Byrne is untenable following accusations he sexually harassed a woman more than a decade ago.
Mr O'Byrne stepped down from the role on Wednesday pending the result of an internal Labor investigation.
A woman alleges Mr O'Byrne sent her inappropriate texts and kissed her twice outside of work without consent when he worked for the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union and she was a junior employee.
Mr O'Byrne, who was only elected as Labor leader a fortnight ago after the party's May 1 election loss, has issued a public apology.
He said he understood the kisses and text message exchange to be consensual at the time but now understood they weren't.
Mr O'Byrne was present in state parliament for question time on Thursday morning, the final sitting day ahead of a lengthy winter break.
Ms O'Connor said his position as Labor leader was no longer tenable.
"We need to make sure in this parliament that we're sending the right message into the community and the right message to women about the culture that we have in this building," she told reporters.
"It's really important that all of us uphold a really high standard."
She said Mr O'Byrne's apology was essentially an admission to conduct "not in line with community standards".
The scope and timeline of the investigation is not known.
Mr O'Byrne read out a written statement at a snap press conference on Wednesday afternoon and didn't take questions from the media.
He said he was yet to receive a copy of the woman's complaint but acknowledged his behaviour did not meet the standards he expects of himself.
"At the time of the reported events I genuinely believed the kiss and text exchanges to be consensual. However, I now understand that was not the case," he said.
"This matter has caused me to reflect deeply on the nature of consent and I have come to appreciate why the person concerned says our interaction was not consensual.
"I have written to her to offer my unreserved apology for the unwanted contact and texts."
The ABC reports the woman worked for the union in 2007 and 2008.
