Labor move to investigate former staffer’s bullying claims against Light MP Tony Piccolo

The SA Labor Party has launched an “independent review”, probing explosive bullying claims made by a former staffer against long-serving MP Tony Piccolo.

Labor stalwart Tony Piccolo has been accused of bullying one of his former staffers three years ago, sparking an investigation within the party.

Bradley Johnson, who worked as a trainee in the Gawler-based Light electorate office between January and December 2018, claims his former boss used “bullying and harassment tactics” against him.

In a letter sent to Labor leader Peter Malinauskas, Mr Johnson, 22, accused Mr Piccolo of forcing him to resign just one month before he was due to finish his traineeship.

Mr Johnson, in his letter, claimed Mr Piccolo made inappropriate comments about his weight in front of other staff. He also claimed his former boss sent “personal emails criticising my work and copying in all staff members, and making jokes at my expense”.

The Advertiser understands SA Labor secretary Reggie Martin has moved to hire independent investigators to probe the claims.

“I can confirm that I have had a matter referred to me, and we are in the process of conducting an independent review,” Mr Martin said in a statement.

Portrait of Bradley Johnson

Mr Piccolo, who has held the state seat of Light since 2006, did not respond directly to the allegations. “I will fully co-operate with the independent review that has been established,” he said. Mr Johnson also sent his letter to the Light electorate office.

Mr Johnson is a member of Labor’s Left faction and president of the Ramsay sub-branch. Mr Piccolo defected from the Left to the Right when he became Police Minister in 2013.

In his letter, Mr Johnson claimed he “immediately started experiencing inappropriate comments and general belittlement” when he started working for Mr Piccolo in 2018. One example he provided was when he claimed the Light MP said, “Jeez, you’ve put on a bit of weight lately”, in front of other staff.

Light MP Tony Piccolo said he would co-operate with the “independent review”.

Mr Johnson went public in the hope that other staffers would come forward to speak out about concerns over parliamentary workplace behaviour generally.

“(The alleged incidents) put me in a dark place mentally,” Mr Johnson said.

“I would wake up some mornings unable to face Tony … in the office, so I would call in sick.”

Mr Johnson claimed he was pushed into resigning in December 2018 – one month before completing his traineeship and Certificate 3 in Business.

“ (Mr Piccolo) sat me down and provided me with an ultimatum. Either I hand in my resignation before close of business, or I would never get a good reference from him in any future jobs,” he said in his letter.

Mr Johnson claimed Mr Piccolo “explained that he wanted (a new trainee) to replace me ASAP”.

“Due to Tony’s power and influence in the party, I was terrified of speaking up or contacting my union, and as I lived out of home I desperately needed a job to pay rent and feed myself,” he said.

“I had no option but to write my resignation against my will and end my traineeship early.”

An Opposition spokesman said Mr Malinauskas referred the letter to the party’s “established complaints process”.

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