Senior federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese has defended his colleague Emma Husar, who faces claims of workplace bullying, as a "terrific", hardworking single mum.
The western Sydney MP is being investigated by the Labor party machine following complaints of alleged harassment, verbal abuse and misuse of staff.
The backbencher has been accused of making staff mind her children and walk her dog and clean up its faeces under working conditions one staffer described as "hell", Buzzfeed News reported.
But Ms Husar, who represents the NSW electorate of Lindsay, says she's horrified to learn of the investigation.
"My office is a professional and respectful workplace. It should not be perceived in any other way, and of course I am sorry if any person has been given reason to think otherwise," she said in a statement.
"I am a single mum with three children, working hard and doing my best. If I have let anyone down, I apologise."
Without commenting directly on the NSW Labor investigation, Mr Albanese praised his colleague.
"What I know about Emma Husar is that she's a single mum, works incredibly hard, represents her electorate very strongly," he told Nine Network on Friday.
"I find her a terrific person to deal with. I find her a very good local member of parliament."
Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said any investigation should be allowed to run its course.
"I'm not obviously privy to what these complaints are and I think you'd be unwise to comment on them unless you have all the facts," he told Nine Network.
