Emma Husar: Labor ‘slaves’ tell of doing MP’s chores

Babysitting, dog walking and picking up excrement were all part of the job for Labor MP Emma Husar’s office staff, it’s claimed.

Federal Labor MP Emma Husar. Picture: Tim Hunter

An internal ALP investigation is weighing allegations against federal MP Emma Husar — including that a taxpayer-funded staffer moved into her house to perform domestic duties — in a probe that could lead to her disendorsement from her marginal seat.

Senior party figures last night appeared to be closing ranks behind the first-term MP for the western Sydney seat of Lindsay, despite her facing allegations from as many as 20 former staffers who claim they were bullied, verbally abused and in some cases treated like slaves. One staff member, ­Vanessa Song, is said to have been used to perform domestic duties for Ms Husar.

Contacted by The Weekend Australian yesterday and asked whether she lived with Ms Husar or performed domestic duties on her behalf, Ms Song said: “I’m not to comment on anything.” She asked for questions in writing.

A Labor source later confirmed that a staff member was staying with Ms Husar.

Sources told The Weekend Australian it was common for Ms Husar to require staff to serve in work time as “babysitters” for two of her three children, to wash dishes, walk her dog, clean up dog ­excrement and do other chores.

It was also reported yesterday that Ms Husar allegedly told a male staff member to do her dishes so he could learn about “white male privilege”.

An advertisement for a media and policy adviser in Ms Husar’s office, circulated via internal Labor email, listed tasks including “running errands” and “supporting various personal, professional and family obligations” for the taxpayer-funded position.

Up to 20 former staff have given evidence about their treatment to an inquiry, which has spanned three months and has been conducted by barrister and former party staffer John Whelan for the NSW ALP’s head office.

Mr Whelan is understood to have briefed Sussex Street ­officials about the investigation this week.

The report is believed to have investigated alleged bullying, verbal abuse and other behaviour towards electorate staff. As a backbencher, Ms Husar is entitled to four electorate staff. She is understood to have lost 20 in the past two years.

The large group of former staffers to have complained are reluctant to speak publicly at this stage, fearing possible retribution.

They are hoping Mr Whelan’s report will be referred by NSW general secretary Kaila Murnain next month to the NSW party’s administrative committee for a decision on whether the MP should be reprimanded under ALP rules, as a prelude to possible disendorsement as the party ­candidate for Lindsay at the next election.

Ms Husar had already been re-endorsed as Labor’s candidate in Lindsay as part of the ALP’s early confirmation of candidates sitting on slim margins, and to maintain female representation levels.

The probe could lead to Ms Husar’s disendorsement from her marginal seat.

She holds Lindsay with a margin of 1.1 per cent after defeating former Liberal MP Fiona Scott at the 2016 election.

One complainant said: “Working for any MP can be high pressure, and you get asked to do things that are not in your job ­description.

“But there is a certain point that crosses the line.

“To be told to do the dishes is one thing. The way you’re told, and the way it’s presented, is a different thing. Everyone had a turn at being her slave.”

Ms Husar allegedly would favour certain staff over and above others, but often fall out with them when they did not meet her expectations of “loyalty”.

“She would question their work ethic, run them down, make them rewrite a letter six or seven times beyond just correcting grammatical errors.

“She would make you correct her corrections.”

Bill Shorten’s office has denied being aware of allegations about Ms Husar’s behaviour last year.

But sources asked how it was possible for a backbench MP to “churn” through so many staff in two years without word reaching higher levels in the party.

Another allegation includes that household items may have been purchased using her ­electorate allowance.

A NSW Labor spokesman said: “The ALP has an independent process for assessing complaints.

“The independent process also provides advice to the party on what action, if any, is necessary in response.

“The process is mindful to provide protection to the complainant and also procedural fairness to the subject of the complaint.

“As such, no public comment is made during the course of any independent assessments.’’

Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese defended Ms Husar, saying he knew she was a single mother who worked incredibly hard and represented her electorate very strongly.

“I find her a terrific person to deal with,” Mr Albanese said.

“I had not met her frankly before she ran for Lindsay, but I find her a very good local member of parliament.”

Ms Husar said: “I was horrified to learn that complaints have been made. At no time has any staff member raised these issues with me.

“The assertions that have been made do not reflect who I am or how my office operates.

“I love my job and I am incredibly passionate about representing the Lindsay community I have lived in my whole life.

“My community doesn’t get the airtime it deserves and I am working hard to change that.

“My office is a professional and respectful workplace.

“It should not be perceived in any other way, and of course I am sorry if any person has been given reason to think otherwise.

“I am a single mum with three children, working hard and doing my best.

“If I have let anyone down, I apologise.’’

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: GREG BROWN