Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne has demanded Opposition Leader Bill Shorten personally intervene in the storm of controversy engulfing embattled Labor MP Emma Husar.
Ms Husar says claims she sexually harassed staff and flashed another federal MP are "absolute lies" aimed at ruining her career.
Mr Pyne said Mr Shorten couldn't let the saga drag on.
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"Unfortunately for Bill Shorten he is the leader of the Labor Party and I think that he needs to take personal responsibility for solving a crisis," he told the Nine Network on Friday.
The details of a NSW Labor investigation into bullying and harassment into Ms Husar's office were published by BuzzFeed on Thursday.
It includes claims of sexual harassment, diversion of Labor funds into her personal bank account, bullying, aggressive behaviour, and using taxpayer money to hire a nanny who couldn't work a computer.
xOEJ1EoI_normal.jpgEmma Husar MP@emmahusarmp I have done my best to cooperate with the investigation and clear my name, but it’s clear these people will stop at nothing to destroy me. 10:47 AM - Aug 2, 2018 · Sydney, New South Wales 458 410 people are talking about this
The Labor investigation also reportedly received an allegation Ms Husar flashed Labor frontbencher Jason Clare three times in his office - he said it was "categorically untrue".
"This smear is completely and utterly untrue, unfair and hurtful beyond belief. 100 percent false," Ms Husar tweeted in response to the BuzzFeed article.
Senior Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese tried to deflect attention on the issue, raising questions about a $443 million grant given by the government to the Great Barrier Reef foundation.
xOEJ1EoI_normal.jpgEmma Husar MP@emmahusarmp This smear is completely and utterly untrue, unfair and hurtful beyond belief. 100 per cent false. These are absolute lies that have been fabricated by Jeremy Anderson, who’s working with his father to leak against me and ruin my reputation. 10:47 AM - Aug 2, 2018 · Sydney, New South Wales 769 783 people are talking about this
"The idea that you should have a running commentary while there is an independent investigation taking place is not fair, either to Emma Husar or to the people who have made complaints about her," Mr Albanese said.
Labor senator and former NSW premier Kristina Keneally told the ABC Labor had a thorough process.
She contrasted the independent investigation with the Nationals' approach when former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce faced questions of misusing entitlements earlier in the year.
Ms Husar has publicly named and accused a former staffer and his father of fabrication, saying they would stop at nothing to destroy her.
Senior Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has refrained from making comments on Emma Husar until the investigation is completed.
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"These are absolute lies that have been fabricated by [the ex-staffer], who's working with his father to leak against me and ruin my reputation," she said on Twitter.
NSW Labor said continued public speculation about lawyer John Whelan's investigation was a significant concern.
"It is a cause of some delay to the process and is serving to escalate tensions," the party said in a statement.
Labor expects Mr Whelan to provide a briefing about the investigation in coming weeks.
