Shorten to wait on Labor MP’s bullying inquiry
BILL Shorten has pointed to embattled federal Labor MP Emma Husar’s tough personal circumstances as senior government ministers pile on the pressure after allegations she bullied staff.
The Opposition Leader described the western Sydney backbencher as a good person going through a hard time after she went on leave while the NSW Labor Party investigates bullying and harassment claims.
Ms Husar, 38, has also been accused of using taxpayerfunded staff to mind her children and pick up her dog’s faeces while taking it for walks.
Mr Shorten said the animal was a support dog for Ms Husar’s autistic son. “I suspect there’s more to this whole situation,” he said yesterday.
Footage aired by Channel 7 on Tuesday reportedly showed one of Ms Husar’s staffers walking her dog through Penrith and cleaning up after it. “Bill Shorten should be the one cleaning up Ms Husar’s mess, not her staff,” Treasurer Scott Morrison said in Sydney.
The MP for the seat of Lindsay in western Sydney is also accused of using the taxpayerfunded government Comcar limousine service to travel to her divorce lawyer’s office.
Mr Shorten said he would leave it to the NSW Labor-initiated investigation to uncover the full circumstances of what was a difficult family law situation. While defending her character, Mr Shorten also said people had the right to fair treatment and respectful relationships in the workplace.
Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said if the claims were proven, Mr Shorten should dump her.
Workplace Minister Craig Laundy urged Ms Husar’s staff to take claims to the Fair Work Ombudsman rather than rely on an internal ALP investigation. “Having people do domestic duties for you as members of parliament, I don’t think is appropriate,” Mr Laundy told Sky News.