James Ashby banned from Parliament House, Brian Burston admits to smearing blood on door

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James Ashby banned from Parliament House, Brian Burston admits to smearing blood on door

By Judith Ireland and Max Koslowski

One Nation staffer James Ashby has been banned from Parliament House following a fight with United Australia Party senator Brian Burston.

Senate president Scott Ryan told the Senate on Thursday that the pass of Pauline Hanson's chief of staff had been revoked, which will prevent the staffer from entering Parliament House "for the time being".

Senator Ryan, who is responsible for security in the building, made the decision after reviewing video footage of a physical altercation between the senator and Mr Ashby after a minerals industry dinner at Parliament House on Wednesday night.

Senator Ryan said the video showed "inappropriate behaviour of a pass-holder towards a senator".

After Senator Ryan's announcement, Senator Burston gave a short speech to the Senate admitting he had smeared blood on Senator Hanson's office door on Wednesday evening.

Senator Pauline Hanson with chief of staff James Ashby.

Senator Pauline Hanson with chief of staff James Ashby.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

"Whilst I do not recall the incident of blood on the door, I now have come to the conclusion that it was myself and I sincerely apologise for that action."

When asked whether he should resign, Senator Burston said: "Why would I? I barely even remember it. I was traumatised."

Earlier on Thursday, Senator Burston had denied he was responsible for the two red marks.

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"Ashby probably did it himself. I've got no idea," he said. "I don't recall how I got back from [Parliament House cafe] Aussie's to here [his office]."

Mr Ashby called for a full investigation into the Wednesday night incident.

"As a member of staff to a senator, I respect the jurisdiction of the president of the Senate," he said. "To that effect, I have surrendered my pass.

"However there must be a full investigation of this matter, the allegations that proceeded the altercation and a range of other issues regarding the alleged treatment of female staff that may be relevant to this matter."

A One Nation staff member told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age on Thursday evening that Mr Ashby had already left Parliament to fly to Brisbane before Senator Ryan's decision.

The fight followed a series of sexual harassment allegations levelled against both sides of the spat: Senator Burston denied offering to "f---" a staff member to make her feel better, and retaliated by alleging Senator Hanson had twice sexually harassed him.

Senator Brian Burston in the Senate on Thursday with a bandaged hand.

Senator Brian Burston in the Senate on Thursday with a bandaged hand. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

During a rushed appearance on Sky News on Wednesday night, Senator Hanson denied the sexual harassment claims Senator Burston directed at her.

"I might be 64 but I'm not that desperate. These are allegations that have been made up, there are no truth to them whatsoever and I feel sorry for his wife, I really feel sorry for his wife."

Senator Burston was elected as a NSW senator for One Nation in the 2016 election but abandoned the party in 2018, becoming the sole parliamentary representative for Clive Palmer's newly formed United Australia Party.

Wednesday's counter-harassment claims were triggered after Senator Hanson gave a speech under parliamentary privilege claiming a serving senator was being investigated for a case of "serious sexual harassment".

Queensland Labor senator Murray Watt described the day's events as "really disturbing" and "disgusting".

"It's a disgusting thing to do for a member of parliament to be smearing blood anywhere on the building," he said.

"I would hope that the Senate president looks seriously at that and takes whatever consequences are warranted."

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