Woman who worked for former One Nation Senator Brian Burston breaks silence
An office manager who was allegedly sexually harassed while working for an ex-ally of Pauline Hanson has broken her silence.
Brian Burston’s former office manager has told a court she was sacked by the former senator after she spoke out about his alleged infatuation with a female staff member he said was “as dumb as a shit carter’s horse” — claims he denies.
Wendy Leach spoke for the first time on Friday about her alleged treatment at the hands of Mr Burston, who is suing his former One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson for defamation in Sydney’s Federal Court.
Mr Burston, 74, claims Ms Hanson falsely portrayed him as a pervert on Facebook, in an interview with a journalist and in a text message to his wife.
Ms Hanson says what she said was true and the accounts of Ms Leach and another former staffer, Terri-lea Vairy, prove it.
Toxic culture
Ms Leach, 55, told the court how the toxic culture within Mr Burston’s office left her in need of counselling and fearing she’d lose her home and end up on the dole.
She said Mr Burston called her his “pet” on one occasion and sacked a staff member because he was “cocky and he used the parliamentary bathroom” — claims the court heard Mr Burston completely denies.
Another female staff member was described as being “as ugly as a hat full of arseholes” who should be gotten rid of, Ms Leach told the court.
“I did bring up to the Senator that you can’t just keep sacking people without an exit interview,” Ms Leach said.
As the turnover of staff continued, Ms Leach said Mr Burston raised with her his desire to employ Terri-lea Vairy, who previously worked as his cleaner and who he described as “hot”.
“I said we needed to get re-elected, so hiring people with experience would have been better,” Ms Leach told the court.
Ms Vairy had said she had no relevant qualifications and when Ms Leach raised it with Mr Buston, she told the court he said “she’s good looking [Ms Vairy] she doesn’t need qualifications”.
Mr Burston denies the claims and says all staff were dismissed for legitimate reasons.
‘Filthy’ culture
Tensions within Mr Burston’s office hit boiling point in May 2018 after Ms Leach and a colleague had a meeting to resolve a dispute.
“He [Mr Burston] said ‘if you girls can’t get on you’ll both have to find another job’,” Ms Leach told the court.
“He said ‘Wendy, you probably just need a good f***.
“He said‘I’m not joking … I can come around to your place … it’ll be the best f*** you ever have.’”
The court was told Mr Burston denies the allegation and says it was Ms Leach who said she needed sex, a claim she denied.
Ms Leach said Mr Burston was like “an old uncle” to her and she decided not to complain about his comments at the time because she feared losing her job,
“It was just filthy,” she said.
“If I didn’t work there I would lose the house … I would have lost money … I wanted to keep my job.
“I’d seen all the other unfair dismissals and I’m very aware if you get on the wrong side, you’re out.”
Mr Burston has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Colleague’s support
After the incident with Mr Burston, Mrs Leach said she told Ms Vairy about it.
“I told her to be careful … watch out,” Ms Leach said.
Ms Vairy claimed to have received unwanted advances from Mr Burston as well, the court was told.
“She [Ms Vairy] felt groomed … she didn’t want to be seen alone with him, she was feeling creeped out by it all,” Ms Leach said.
Mr Burston’s affection for Ms Vairy was spoken of by others and Ms Leach told the court there were numerous reasons why.
According to Ms Leach, Mr Burston had said “you’re wearing your hair in my favourite way”, “that’s a sexy skirt you’ve got on today” and “your hair looks sexy like that” to Ms Vairy.
The court was told he also asked Ms Vairy questions like “what sort of men do you go for” and “are they real boobs”
Ms Leach said Mr Burston said of Ms Vairy: “she’s good looking but she’s as dumb as a shit carter’s horse”.
He has denied all the allegations.
Photo problem
While Ms Burston and Ms Leach were at a concert in Tamworth, which Mr Burston got them tickets to, the court was told he repeatedly asked for photos of the pair.
“Please respond … you might be looking for a job Monday,” Mr Burston was alleged to have said when the women never sent photos which were of his liking.
Mr Buston has told the court he wanted the photos so he could show his Facebook followers that staff were representing him at a fundraising event, while Ms Leach says he was sent photos and kept asking specifically about Ms Vairy.
“I lost it and rang Brian and went off,” Ms Leach said.
“I said I’m f****** sick of this, this f****** infatuation is f****d up, stop it, you’ve gotta stop this now.
“He said, ‘have you been drinking’ and I said ‘of course I’ve been drinking, I’m at a concert’.”
Ms Leach claimed Mr Burston told her she was disrespecting a federal senator and on parliamentary business.
After the incident Ms Leach turned up for her next work shift and a termination letter was waiting on her desk. She was told she had an hour to pack up her desk and leave the building.
Police contacted Ms Leach a day later after someone reported her for having parliamentary items, the court was told.
Settlement reached
After she was dismissed, Ms Leach launched unfair dismissal action, reported Mr Burston to the Department of Finance and made contact with One Nation boss James Ashby.
In the months prior, the relationship between Ms Hanson, Mr Ashby and Mr Burston had turned sour because of Mr Burston’s decision to quit One Nation and join Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party.
“I really wanted James and Pauline to help me,” Ms Leach said.
“James thought I should just move on,” she said.
Ms Leach lodged an unfair dismissal complaint in November 2018 and was put on a mental health plan by her GP.
A settlement was reached in June 2019 and Ms Leach was awarded more than $20,000.
“I got the maximum that was payable,” she said.
Messages revealed
Ms Leach defended her decision to send multiple complimentary messages to Mr Burston after the May 2018 incident.
The messages, which included compliments like “thank you for being you” and “I appreciate you”, were read out while Ms Leach was being cross-examined by Mr Burston’s barrister, Bruce McClintock SC.
She said the messages were sent because she did not want to lose her job.
“I just wanted things to keep flowing the way they were, to keep my job,” Ms Leach said.
“I’m here for the truth, not to make anything up in between.”
Mr McClintock described parts of Ms Leach’s evidence as “completely false”, which she denied.
The hearing resumes on Tuesday when Mr Ashby is expected to give evidence.