NSW Labor releases statement about Emma Husar in wake of report into embattled MP’s behaviour

AN independent inquiry has backed claims by Emma Husar’s former staffers that the MP was “offensive and unreasonable”, but cleared her over allegations of lewd conduct and sexual harassment.

AN independent inquiry into allegations of bullying and harassment lodged against Labor MP Emma Husar has backed former staffers’ claims that her management style was “offensive and unreasonable”.

It also backed complaints that Ms Husar had asked staff to perform “non-work related and personal duties” and recommended that allegations over the misuse of political entitlements be referred to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.

But the embattled Labor MP, who on Wednesday announced she would quit politics, has been cleared over allegations of “lewd conduct” and sexual harassment.

Labor is refusing to make the full report public but, in a statement today, the NSW branch said “there is no basis for Ms Husar to resign from the Australian Parliament”.

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Labor leader Bill Shorten rejected calls for the party to release the Emma Husar report. Picture: AAP

The statement said the full report would not be made public “given the need to preserve the confidentiality of many of the participants”.

It also noted that said the report by barrister John Whelan, who conducted the independent inquiry into the complaints by 22 former staffers, “emphasised the need for a de-escalation” and as such NSW Labor would not be making any further comment.

“There are concerns for the well-being of many involved, given the stress associated with this matter. Counselling has been and will continue to be made available,” it said.

The branch’s statement also said that Mr Whelan had noted the public disclosure of details of staffer allegations in recent weeks was “reprehensible”.

“It had served to elevate tensions in an environment in which many have reported the stress this matter has placed on their mental health,” it said.

WHAT THE INQUIRY FOUND

According to the NSW branch’s statement, Mr Whelan found there was “merit” to complaints Ms Husar asked staff to perform “non-work related and personal duties”.

In recent weeks, leaked details of the complaints have alleged Ms Husar asked staff to do domestic chores and walk her dog, including picking up its excrement.

He also found merit in complaints that staff were “subjected to unreasonable management including, unreasonable communication, demands, practices and disciplinary methods”.

The report said that Ms Husar had defended herself over the allegations on the grounds that she “manages appropriately to achieve higher standards of performance and loyalty” and “does so under a heavy workload, intense personal stress and a desire to serve Western Sydney and in particular the cause of victims of domestic violence”.

But male and female complainants said they found much of her management “offensive and unreasonable”.

“After considering all sides of the relevant issues the assessment has generally favoured the complainant’s perception of events,” the statement said.

Husar revealed earlier this week she would step down. Picture: Nine News

The inquiry also found that allegations of the misuse of political entitlements should be referred to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority for audit.

Ms Husar has already referred these herself.

The inquiry cleared Ms Husar over staffer allegations of sexual harassment and “lewd conduct” in the office of Labor MP Jason Clare.

According to leaked details of the complaint last week, a staffer had alleged that Ms Husar had exposed herself in Mr Clare’s office in a move made famous by the movie Basic Instinct.

Mr Whelan also cleared Ms Husar over allegations of misleading the Commonwealth Parliament. The details of that complaint have not been made public.

The barrister has recommended the issue of Ms Husar asking staff to do non-work related tasks be referred to the Department of Finance’s Ministerial and Parliamentary Services so it can issue advice regarding the “appropriate employment guidelines issued to all Members of Parliament”.

The barrister has recommended Ms Husar, who is currently on personal leave, have a “return to work plan” prepared for her by the Finance Department’s Ministerial and Parliamentary Services section, which would consider issues of “timing, training, staff needs and office support”.

The statement clarifies that no information was released by those conducting the inquiry.

Mr Whelan’s report also recommends that the Finance Department’s Ministerial and Parliamentary Services sector review how easy it is for employees to access the current electorate office staff complaints resolution process.

SHORTEN BACKS KEEPING REPORT UNDER WRAPS

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten wants to keep the report under wraps. Picture: AAP

Earlier today, Opposition leader Bill Shorten rejected calls for the party to release the report by barrister John Whelan, who conducted the independent inquiry into the allegations on the NSW branch’s behalf. He said the confidentiality of those involved must be respected.

“Emma Husar, the member for Lindsay, has made the difficult decision to basically give up any prospect of a future parliamentary career,” he told reporters in western Queensland.

“In terms of what she’s done and what she hasn’t done, she will get a chance to read the report and people will learn the lessons.

“Everyone needs to be treated with respect out of this process and there is little more I can add.” Ms Husar will not recontest her western Sydney seat at the next federal election.

Mr Shorten said there wasn’t a precedent for releasing the report publicly, before adding NSW Labor was the “ultimate custodian” of the document. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull demanded the internal report be handed over to the Department of Finance.

But Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon said releasing the document could do great harm, not only to Ms Husar, but to former staff as well. Mr Fitzgibbon said many employees provided evidence to the inquiry anonymously. “Imagine in the future if there’s an allegation against someone and witnesses don’t come forward to allow us to come to proper conclusions because they fear those submissions being made public,” he told the ABC on Friday. “This is a hopeless attempt by Malcolm Turnbull to again turn this into something about Bill Shorten, which is absolutely desperate and ridiculous.” Mr Fitzgibbon was not impressed that so much of the internal investigation had been leaked to the media.

More to come.

Originally published as NSW Labor releases statement about Emma Husar in wake of report into embattled MP’s behaviour