Both sides of politics developed a vested interest in pushing Labor MP Emma Husar out of Canberra.
Once that happened, she wasn't going to hang on.
As accusations of bullying and harrassment from more than 20 former staff mounted, the western Sydney MP became a target of both her own party and the coalition.
And when the campaign to oust her from the seat she holds by 1.1 per cent went public, Labor knew Ms Husar was living on borrowed time.
Her decision to quit politics at the next election - rather than immediately - saves Bill Shorten the pain of another by-election, but it may not stop the bullying investigation being released.
The 22 former staff still want justice, including some who have already gone public.
Shorten will hope to get some clear air before parliament returns next week, but he will still face questions about what he knew, and why he didn't know more when others in the party were aware.
It was in Labor's interest to end the bleeding quickly, and in the Liberals' interest to drag it on as long as possible.
When political scandals reach the stage where fresh allegations and details are being rolled out every day, there is only one inevitable conclusion.
