Under fire MP Emma Husar steps back as problems with staff and family continue to mount
EMBATTLED Labor MP Emma Husar has taken personal leave as new concerns surface about her private and political life. Ms Husar is awaiting an internal probe into allegations she bullied employees. A staffer was yesterday pictured taking her dog for a walk and cleaning up its faeces.
NSW
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EMBATTLED Labor MP Emma Husar has taken leave effective immediately ahead of revelations her eldest daughter moved in with her ex-husband after an altercation that sparked a police investigation.
Ms Husar’s eldest daughter now lives with her father Peter Fenton, the MP’s former husband. A NSW police spokesman confirmed officers attended an incident involving Ms Husar last year.
“A matter has been investigated and there is no further police action,” a spokesman said.
It is understood the incident related to a verbal argument, and Ms Husar denies any wrongdoing.
The domestic dispute follows news Ms Husar’s former staff made allegations of workplace bullying against her, which are being investigated by NSW Labor.
Among the complaints were that she asked staff to clean up her dog’s faeces and babysit her children.
Channel 7 yesterday aired footage last night of one staffer taking a dog for a walk and cleaning up after it.
Keen to protect his children, Mr Fenton told The Daily Telegraph he was confident the “truth” would emerge.
“I don’t wish to discuss (my family issues). My priority is protecting my children and their mental wellbeing but I’m sure the truth will one day come out,” he said.
Ms Husar’s daughter, whom The Daily Telegraph has decided not to name, has criticised her mother in social media posts.
In a post on social media on Mother’s Day, she thanked another woman for being an “amazing role model and mother figure in my life when I didn’t have one”.
In an emotional speech in Parliament in 2016, Ms Husar spoke about being a victim of domestic violence, and has become an ambassador for the White Ribbon foundation.
Last night, she took personal leave, saying the past few days had been “incredibly difficult” for her family.
“I’m a single mum and my first priority is the safety and wellbeing of my children,” she said in a statement.
“I have received threatening messages including threats of violence and have referred them to the AFP. The best thing for me and my family right now is for us to be out of the spotlight so I can access support.”
Labor leader Bill Shorten’s office said they were unaware of any of the allegations against Ms Husar despite it becoming involved in shutting down a story in the Telegraph in October last year about her use of staff for personal duties.
