Labor MP issue pursued despite report

Issues surrounding Labor MP Emma Husar will continue to be looked at as a report found no merit in sexual harassment allegations.

Emma Husar

An inquiry has found Emma Husar has no case to answer in relation to sexual harassment allegations. (AAP) Source: AAP

Two agencies will keep examining allegations about Emma Husar, despite the federal Labor MP being cleared of sexual harassment.

The Finance Department's unit which oversees MP offices and the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority are casting their eye over claims regarding the first-term MP.

An independent investigation commissioned by NSW Labor found while she did make unreasonable demands of staff, who accused her of bullying, their allegations of sexual harassment were not supported.

Ms Husar, who announced this week she would not recontest her seat at the next election, says she would have stayed on if the allegations against her had not been leaked.

Lawyer John Whelan's report said there was no basis for her to resign but found "complaints that staff were subjected to unreasonable management, including unreasonable communication, demands, practices and disciplinary methods have merit".

Two former staff members told BuzzFeed News they may take the MP for Lindsay to the Fair Work Commission or a civil court.

The report called for a "return to work" plan to make sure Ms Husar's office runs smoothly into the future - a recommendation she has agreed to.

Speaking ahead of parliament's return next week, Liberal frontbencher Christopher Pyne said the issue would not go away.

"It looks like it is going to continue to fester for (Labor leader) Bill Shorten and the Labor Party."

The issue of when Mr Shorten knew of the investigations is expected to be raised in parliament.

Mr Shorten says he knew nothing of the investigation until July 18, following a media query to his office.


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Source: AAP


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