MP accused of bullying staffers taking advice from frontbencher

The federal Labor MP accused of bullying up to 20 former staffers has been taking advice from a NSW ALP frontbencher.

Under fire Labor MP Emma Husar in parliament. Picture: Kym Smith

The federal Labor MP facing an ­internal party investigation over allegations she bullied up to 20 former staffers, in some cases treatimg them like “slaves”, has been taking advice on the matter from a NSW ALP frontbencher who is also a barrister and the state opposition spokesman on industrial ­relations.

The Australian has confirmed Emma Husar, the federal Labor member for Lindsay in Sydney’s west, has received help from Adam Searle, a NSW upper house MP and close friend of Ms Husar.

Mr Searle, praised in glowing terms by Ms Husar in her first speech to federal parliament in September 2016 for his “trusted and measured advice”, has talked to the MP extensively and seen some of the accusations put in writing against her.

The state Labor frontbencher insists he was acting only as a friend. “I am not giving her legal advice,” he said.

Former staffers of Ms Husar, who pushed for the NSW ALP head office general secretary Kaila Murnain to call the inquiry, are disturbed about the likely outcome, fearing a report due soon will be “filed in a bottom drawer”.

Despite proclaiming faith in the independence of barrister John Whelan, appointed to conduct the inquiry, they claim there have been pre-emptive moves by others to protect Ms Husar and trivialise their claims.

The Weekend Australian reported the investigation was underway into claims by up to 20 former staff that Ms Husar took them away from electorate office duties to regularly mind her children, walk her dog, clean up dog excrement and wash dishes. One staffer allegedly had a “live-in” role performing domestic duties.

Ms Husar said she was “horrified” to learn about the complaints. No staff member had raised them with her, and her ­office was a “professional and ­respectful workplace”.

While apologising if anyone thought otherwise, she said she was a “single mum with three children, working hard and doing my best”.

So far senior Labor ranks have closed ranks behind Ms Husar, fuelling suspicions among the complainants.

While Bill Shorten’s office has denied being aware of the alle­gations, and Anthony Albanese said he found Ms Husar a “terrific person to deal with”, former Labor senator Sam Dastyari said he had the “shits” about double standards when men regarded as tough in politics were “strong” but such women were “unhinged”.

Mr Dastyari, who is close to party secretary Ms Murnain and now works for Essential Media, a public relations company paid to advise the NSW ALP, praised Ms Husar’s “amazing story” as a victim of domestic violence. He said: “Single mother. That is tough, and she is as tough as nails, You kind of have to be if you had her life.”

In her first speech to parliament, Ms Husar thanked Ms Murnain, describing her as a “ceiling smasher, fortress NSW boss lady who has had my back since I walked through the door”.

Former staff want the ALP’s administrative committee to reprimand Ms Husar and disendorse her. A former staffer challenged Mr Searle’s role as a friend: “In the face of our allegations it is deeply disappointing to find out that the shadow industrial relations spokesman would still choose to represent her. We see it as a conflict of interest.’’