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Federal Election 2019: Emma Husar dumped as Labor candidate for seat of Lindsay

Western Sydney Labor MP Emma Husar wants to fight to keep her federal seat - but she's been disendorsed by the NSW branch of the party.

MP Emma Husar has been dumped by NSW Labor.

MP Emma Husar has been dumped by NSW Labor. Source: AAP

Emma Husar says she'll challenge a decision by NSW Labor to dump her as the party's candidate for the seat of Lindsay.

The state administrative committee met on Friday and "resolved to withdraw its endorsement" of the sitting member at next year's federal election, the party said in a statement.

The NSW branch has referred the preselection of Labor's new candidate to the national executive, meaning there won't be a normal rank and file ballot.

"I will be challenging the validity of this decision because I believe it is inconsistent with the party's own rules," Ms Husar told News Corp Australia on Friday.

Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten is of the view that Ms Husar shouldn't contest the next election in 2019.

Ms Husar announced in August she would not run after allegations were levelled against her of bullying and sexual harassment.

But she revealed last week she'd since changed her mind and was eager to recontest the seat.

A Labor investigation found Ms Husar had mistreated her electorate staff but did not find evidence to support claims of sexual harassment or of her flashing another federal MP.

"I haven't changed my mind": Bill Shorten on the Husar decision.
"I haven't changed my mind": Bill Shorten on the Husar decision. Source: AAP

Mr Shorten says his view hasn't changed since the Lindsay MP announced she was quitting.

"I said at the time... I thought that was the right decision then, both for her and the party," he told reporters in Canberra on Friday. "I haven't changed my mind."

Ms Husar is also gearing up for a defamation lawsuit against the media outlet that revealed the allegations made against her in a confidential Labor internal investigation - which included evidence from more than 20 people.

Ms Husar told parliament on Thursday she'd launched legal action against BuzzFeed and journalist Alice Workman over their story in early August.

"They went ahead and published their slut-shaming story knowing with full intent that it would go viral," Ms Husar told parliament.

"I am not a bully. I am not Sharon Stone. I am not a thief. And I did not deliberately misuse my work expenses."

BuzzFeed says it's aware of Ms Husar's action.

"We're considering our position with our lawyers and will respond in due course," BuzzFeed told AAP in a statement.


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