Senate hears questions over Karen Andrews throwing object at staff member

Industry Minister Karen Andrews has denied a suggestion that she threw an object at a staff member, after the allegation was aired during a Senate hearing.

Minister for Industry Karen Andrews and Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrive for Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Wednesday, October 24, 2018. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING

Industry Minister Karen Andrews has denied a suggestion that she threw an object at a staff member, after the allegation was aired during a Senate hearing.

“Did the minister throw an object at a staff member,” Labor Senator Jacinta Collins asked Department of Education secretary Michele Bruniges during a Senate estimates hearing this morning.

“Did a staff member ever tell you the minister threw an object at them?

“Did a staff member or an interim adviser request they return to the department earlier than scheduled.”

Dr Bruniges said she was unaware of such a complaint or the lodgement of an incident report on such a matter, but agreed to take questions on notice, including whether the department ever provided advice to Ms Andrews regarding her relationship with or behaviour towards staff.

Department group manager of human resources, Gaby Medley-Brown, said that she also was not aware of any incident report in relation to Ms Andrews conduct.

The hearing was told that Ms Andrew’s office had been in receipt of two interim advisers, on secondment from the department, between April 16 and August 21, when Ms Andrews was Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills. One staffer stayed for six weeks, the other for one week.

The conduct of federal parliamentarians has come under the spotlight since the recent leadership spill, after several MPs claimed they were subjected to bullying and intimidation at the time.

Ms Andrews said: “The allegation is false”.