Bullying investigation not breached: Labor

NSW Labor says its bullying investigation into a federal MP has not been breached, despite claims it has been compromised.

Labor Member for Lindsay Emma Husar in the House of Representatives.

Labor Member for Lindsay Emma Husar. Source: AAP

Key details of a bullying investigation into federal Labor MP Emma Husar have leaked but NSW Labor denies the inquiry has been breached or compromised.

Ms Husar told Fairfax Media she believes the internal Labor investigation into her federal electorate office has been compromised by leaks after details were published in the media.

But NSW Labor insists lawyer John Whelan's inquiry is by the book.

"These claims are rejected and plainly wrong. Any breaches in confidentiality have not come from the independent assessment," a NSW Labor spokesman said on Tuesday.

Ms Husar said the vast majority of the allegations were vague and without names or dates.

"I reject them absolutely," she said.

"I've co-operated fully with the process and maintained the confidentiality through my silence. It is clear this process is now hopelessly compromised."

But Labor said Mr Whelan's report methodology stood up to scrutiny.

"It has been carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures for investigations where many complainants ask to be de-identified for fear of recrimination," the party said.

NSW Labor also said Mr Whelan should be allowed to continue his work without being smeared.

Ms Husar said bullying allegations against her surfaced after she sacked an adviser for poor performance.

"The coverage of this has been nothing short of devastating professionally and reputationally. I'm not sure I will ever recover. But I am determined to clear my name," she said in a statement to Fairfax.

The member for Lindsay has been accused of bullying and sexually harassing staff in her electorate office and diverting Labor funds into her personal bank account.

According to documents obtained by Fairfax Media and conversations with a spokeswoman, Ms Husar contends the original allegations came to light after the staffer's dismissal last October.

The former staffer has denied Husar's claim about his poor performance, labelling it "false and defamatory".

The Whelan report into the allegations is due to be handed to Labor bosses this week, just days out from federal parliament resuming.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world