The Assistant Treasurer and Senator for Tasmania, Senator Nick Sherry, has today called on Tasmanian Liberal Senator, Eric Abetz, to do the honourable thing and apologise to the people of Tasmania and Australia and then resign.
"In a matter of a month, Senator Abetz has coached a sworn witness of a Senate Committee and made a range of serious accusations based on a fake email.
"This is the same email he first stated came from a journalist, but which he now confirms he got from a public servant."
"He has also blocked a Senate Privileges Committee investigation into his conduct and misled the Australian people," said the Assistant Treasurer.
"Senator Abetz this morning claimed he has been conned, but the only ones being conned are the Australian people."
"There is only one course of action – he should apologise and resign, and he must do it today."
"After Senator Abetz's resignation, Liberal Senators must distance themselves from Senator Abetz's cavalier attitude and back a Senate Privileges Committee investigation to review this extremely serious matter."