Protesters call on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to move federal MP Andrew Laming to the crossbench
Once strangers, three Queensland women now share a lifelong bond.
Crystal White, Sheena Hewlett and Alix Russo were brought together by what they said was a common enemy: embattled federal MP Andrew Laming.
Ms White claimed Mr Laming took a photo of her without her permission, while Ms Hewlett and Ms Russo said they were subjected to online abuse.
“I didn’t want to live anymore after the online deplorable abuse,” Ms Russo said.
Today, the women walked side-by-side, with Senator Penny Wong along for support, as they declared “enough is enough”.
A crowd of about 150 people marched the streets of the Redland City suburb of Cleveland, past the office of Mr Laming.
From there, the crowd converged at a common area and it was there that Ms Russo addressed her supporters.
“We have been oppressed by this man for too long,” she claimed.
Senator Penny Wong also had a message for Scott Morrison.
“If you let Mr Laming back into the parliament and accept his vote as a member of your government, you will be demonstrated to be a hypocrite,” Ms Wong said.
Protestors want the Prime Minister to expel Mr Laming to the crossbench or call for his resignation immediately.
Parliament will resume Monday for the budget, Mr Laming’s first parliamentary duty since announcing he would not contest the next election.
His resignation comes off the back of a series of 9News investigations, which exposed the allegations put before him.
Mr Laming denies all the allegations.
“There are no accusations of cyber bullying before any authority I’m aware of, after a decade of social media, where I diligently serve locals with around 50,000 comments a year,” he said in a statement today.
Protesters saw Mr Laming watching this morning’s march from a nearby cafe.
9News offered him the opportunity to speak on camera, however he declined an interview.
