Labor backbencher Emma Husar has denied a fresh series of extraordinary allegations about her conduct in the office, accusing a former staff member of a “smear” designed to destroy her career.
Dozens of allegations are detailed in a leaked letter from lawyer John Whelan, who is conducting an internal investigation for NSW Labor that was triggered by staff complaints.
Among the most extraordinary allegations is a claim from one staffer that Ms Husar behaved inappropriately towards Labor frontbencher Jason Clare.
Mr Clare has dismissed the story as “categorically untrue”, while Ms Husar said the allegations were “hurtful beyond belief”.
Under fire Labor Labor MP Emma Husar has denied the claims. Source: AAP
The letter, revealed by Buzzfeed News on Thursday, also contains allegations of workplace bullying, intimidation, sexual comments and misappropriation of campaign funds.
One staff member alleged “money intended for other uses” found its way into Ms Husar’s personal bank account, according to Buzzfeed.
Ms Husar was reportedly asked to respond to the allegations. The investigation has been running for months but a final report is expected as soon as next week.
Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten. Source: AAP
“I have done my best to cooperate with the investigation and clear my name, but it’s clear these people will stop at nothing to destroy me,” Ms Husar wrote on Twitter.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten has previously declined to comment on the case before the investigation is finished.
A spokesperson for Mr Shorten told SBS News he had “not seen the letter” and was “not aware of its existence before today”.
The damaging leak comes just a day after the Daily Telegraph ran a front-page story over on a taxpayer-funded trip to Brisbane.
Ms Husar says the visit to Queensland was a work trip that featured meetings with domestic violence groups, but has asked the parliamentary expenses watchdog IPEA to double-check the expense claims in a bid to clear her name.
