Quitting MP saves Labor from by-election

Outgoing Labor MP Emma Husar says she threw up when she heard about unfounded claims she exposed herself to another federal MP.

Emma Husar

Labor MP Emma Husar says she won't recontest her western Sydney seat. (AAP) Source: AAP

Emma Husar has accused "nasty, faceless" Labor figures of plotting against her and will quit politics at the next federal election after the MP's staff claimed she bullied them.

Her western Sydney seat of Lindsay, which she holds with a margin of 1.1 per cent, will be hotly contested between Labor and the Liberals at the election due by May 2019.

An emotional Ms Husar said she threw up when she heard one former staff member's claim she exposed herself to a fellow federal Labor MP.

"Enough is enough, I'm going to do this on my terms," she told Nine News on Wednesday.

"They're not going to let people just keep pummelling me the way they have for the last three weeks, with no evidence, no facts and just vexatious, malicious allegations that are just designed to smear me.

"I don't know that my reputation will ever recover."

Lawyer John Whelan has been investigating the complaints of Ms Husar's 22 former staff, with his report due to be handed to NSW Labor by Friday.

They include claims she bullied and sexually harassed staff in her electorate office and diverted Labor funds into her personal bank account.

The first-term MP accused Labor figures of orchestrating the campaign against her and compromising the investigation by leaking details.

Ms Husar says some in the party resented her election because she had not come through the party machine.

"I had not done my Labor Party apprenticeship," she told Nine.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Presented by Yang J. Joo

Source: SBS News, AAP




Share this with family and friends


Follow SBS Korean

Download our apps
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
Independent news and stories connecting you to life in Australia and Korean-speaking Australians.
Ease into the English language and Australian culture. We make learning English convenient, fun and practical.
Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
Korean News

Korean News

Watch it onDemand