Anthony Albanese staffer Sabina Husic quits after ‘defamatory attack’

A key member of Anthony Albanese’s staff has quit revealing she no longer feels safe due to “online harassment” and an “attack” on her character.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s deputy chief of staff Sabina Husic has resigned revealing she “no longer feels safe” in the role after a “cowardly and weak” anonymous dossier was circulated with malicious claims about his office.

The veteran Labor staffer said she wanted to put her mental health first on Tuesday night after a week of debate about the plight of women staffers and bullying at Parliament House.

Ms Husic said she had offered her resignation after being devastated by the anonymous attack while on mental health leave.

“Last night I was the subject of a malicious, false, fake and defamatory attack on my character. This was highly distressing and has had an incredibly harmful effect on my personal wellbeing,’’ she said.

“The defamatory attacks and online harassment I have experienced are beyond the bounds of what should be required for this job or any staff position.

“For women staff, it is important to feel safe in their roles and workplaces – that very much extends to their mental health and wellbeing.

“I no longer feel safe in this role. I have decided to put my health and wellbeing first.”

RELATED: Alan Tudge apologises for affair with staffer

Sabina Husic, Deputy Chief of Staff to Anthony Albanese.

Anthony Albanese and Sabina Husic.

RELATED: Mess over Labor’s ‘bonk ban’ rules

The document targeting Mr Albanese’s office has sparked fresh leadership speculation after it was loaded online on Monday night before being quickly taken down. However the dossier had spread like wildfire through political and media circles.

The anonymous attack against Ms Husic was posted on the same day she returned from three weeks of mental health leave for depression.

It follows confirmation that Mr Albanese’s chief of staff Tim Gartrell had to tell staff to delete the app Slack after it was found to be riddled with personal attacks on colleagues.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese dismissed the document attacking his office and staff as a “fake” and said the email included that purported to be from Ms Husic was mocked up.

“It’s a fake. It’s fake,” Mr Albanese said. “It’s a very good office. I have an outstanding office.”

Ms Husic, the sister of NSW Labor MP Ed Husic, had joined Mr Albanese’s office after the 2019 election.

“Thank you to you and Anthony for the support you have provided me. I wish you and the office every success for the future,’’ she said in her resignation letter.

RELATED: Porter hits back at ‘totally false’ claims

Anthony Albanese. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Labor’s home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally told news.com.au that the anonymous attack on Ms Husic was “cowardly and weak”.

“Whoever has done this is cowardly and weak especially at a time when she was already on leave for depression,’’ Ms Keneally said.

“I value her counsel, her smarts and her friendship. Sabina has courage and strength but I support her decision

“I am sure this cowardly attack on her will not impact on her career.”

Ms Keneally also drew a parallel with an anonymous dossier circulated in Labor ranks against former NSW MP Emma Husar that also turned out to be false

“You have got to wonder what sort of person would do this,’’ Ms Keneally said.

Kristina Keneally called the attack on Sabina Husic “weak.”

Earlier, another former staffer in Mr Albanese’s office Fiona Sugden called for a new complaints process for women in Parliament House after allegations emerged that Immigration Minister Alan Tudge had belittled staff including his press secretary Rachelle Williams during an extra marital affair.

Mr Tudge has rejected the bullying allegations as entirely false but apologised for the affair.

“Last week, once again, we saw some incredibly courageous women in the Liberal Party and legal fraternity tell their story. I stand with them. I salute them,” Ms Sugden told the Daily Telegraph.

“It takes great strength to stand up and tell your story when there is enormous pressure to stay silent.

“The culture around the treatment of women at Parliament House does need to change. Men, please listen to us. We are done.”