Lidia Thorpe ‘absolutely within her right’ to use parliamentary privilege, Bridget McKenzie says

Nationals senator applauds Peter Dutton’s swift action in removing David Van – who denies any wrongdoing – from the Liberal party room

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The Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has defended Lidia Thorpe’s use of parliamentary privilege to raise sexual misconduct allegations against Senator David Van, who resigned from the Liberal party on Saturday afternoon after denying any wrongdoing.

McKenzie also said on Sunday there would have been “cheers” at how swiftly the Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, acted in addressing the allegations and removing Van from the party room.

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