Liberal Party staffer forced to resign

A Liberal opposition staffer has resigned over the alleged sexual harassment of
several women at a social function in Canberra on Wednesday night.
Anthony Scrinis, an electorate officer working for Liberal Sophie Mirabella who is
opposition spokeswoman for women, handed in his resignation late on Thursday,
according to Ms Mirabella.
Mr Scrinis allegedly grabbed the breasts of two women on the dance floor while at
the Midwinter Ball at Parliament House on Wednesday night, media reported.
It is alleged he also approached four other women during the evening asking to
fondle their breasts.
It's understood one of the women whose breasts were grabbed is a senior adviser to a
cabinet minister who left the dance floor in tears.
One of the women had lodged an official complaint about Mr Scrinis' behaviour, it
was reported.
One woman who observed Mr Scrinis' behaviour at the ball said he appeared to be
under the weather.
"He appeared to be drunk and was approaching various women on the dance floor," the
woman, who did not want to be named, told AAP.
"He was pretty sleazy and kept trying it on, he wouldn't go away."
The ball was attended by more than 500 people, mostly journalists, MPs and their
staff, as well as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his wife Therese Rein, and
Opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy.
A spokeswoman in Ms Mirabella's office told AAP on Thursday evening that Mr Scrinis
had been on a three-month probation period as an electorate officer and adviser to
Ms Mirabella.
She stressed that he was not a senior adviser on women's issues to Ms Mirabella and
that this was his first week in Canberra working for the MP.
Ms Mirabella, who was not available for comment as she was on a flight to Melbourne,
said in a statement that Mr Scrinis had apologised.
"The probationary staff member has apologised and acknowledged that his behaviour
was inappropriate," said Ms Mirabella, who is opposition spokeswoman for early
childhood education, childcare, women and youth.
"Though he disputes some of the allegations being made, he has voluntarily tendered
his resignation which I have accepted."