Mystery of Hong Kong-based woman at centre of LKF bar scandal that cost Australian minister his job
Young staffer called her colleagues in tears from a taxi after the minister allegedly came onto her
A young public servant who faced “inappropriate” advances from an Australian minister in a Lan Kwai Fong bar has been revealed to be a staffer for the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, called her colleagues in tears from a taxi after minister Jamie Briggs allegedly came onto her, according to reports.
She had been assigned to Mr Briggs as an official note-taker during his visit to Hong Kong.
The senior politician, who resigned from his role as minister for Cities and the Built Environment over the incident on Tuesday, has admitted his advances were an “error of professional judgement”.
But in his resignation letter this week, he denied it had been his intention to “act inappropriately” towards the woman, adding he had done “nothing illegal”.
Now it has emerged that his victim became so upset by the incident, in which married Mr Briggs allegedly complimented her on her “piercing eyes”, that she immediately complained to her colleagues about what had occurred.
His wife Estee, with whom he has three children, is said to be standing by him despite revelations about his recent behaviour.
The name of the bar in which the incident occurred has not yet been revealed and it is believed there were no independent witnesses.
Political commentators have suggested the shamed minister’s resignation has given prime minister Malcolm Turnbull the opportunity for a major reshuffle in the new year.
One convenient option is to bring former prime minister Tony Abbott back to the frontbench as Abbott is still enjoying considerable support from the more conservative faction of the Liberal Party and its coalition National Party.
Coalition MPs led by conservative senator Eric Abetz have called for Abbott to take on a “prominent” role in a future ministry, with some saying it would help “heal the wounds” after the September leadership coup.
Turnbull toppled Abbott in a Liberal Party room ballot in September when polls indicated a plummeting support rate for the former prime minister.
