Parliament began this week with bitter arguments over the handling of Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation, with the opposition using leaked text messages from Higgins’ phone to prosecute their case against the government.

But it took only two days for fresh allegations of another sexual assault to emerge.

Liberal senator David Van has been advised he will no longer sit in the party room, following accusations of sexual harassment and assault from independent senator Lidia Thorpe.

Van denies the claims, but the opposition leader says he reached the decision after receiving even further complaints about the senator.

Today, columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno, on the standards and culture within Parliament House.

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Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

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Lidia Thorpe alleges sexual assault in Parliament House