This story comprises reference to suicidal ideas.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has defended his actions following allegations raised by his most senior employees member about bullying in his workplace.
Jo Tarnawsky, Marles’ chief of employees, alleges she has been blocked from doing her job after she claims she raised bullying allegations along with her boss.
Tarnawsky has not claimed that Richard Marles perpetrated the alleged bullying
She claims she has been barred from coming into her workplace with out giving discover and says she has been moved to work on a brief venture with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s workplace for a number of months.
Richard Marles’ chief of employees Jo Tarnawsky. Supply: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Marles mentioned he’s happy he has upheld the ministerial code of conduct, requiring ministers to uphold the best office customary together with sustaining a protected and respectful office for his or her employees.
“On this second, I really feel very unhappy that occasions have gotten to the place they’ve,” Marles advised the Home of Representatives on Thursday afternoon.
“That is clearly very tough. Let me say that in the way in which during which I’ve tried to handle this, I’ve performed so with Jo’s welfare in thoughts at each second as I might attempt to handle issues on that foundation for all of my employees.
“As is clear, this matter is now within the arms of legal professionals, and naturally that’s completely Jo’s proper. Nevertheless it does imply that it’s tough for me to say something extra on this subject.”
Jo Tarnawsky mentioned she labored as Richard Marles chief of employees in 2012 and 2013, and started work for him once more in 2022 after Labor gained the federal election. Supply: AAP / Mick Tsikas
Albanese, who’s at present abroad for the ASEAN summit, mentioned he was conscious of the matter and had been briefed on it.
“The performing prime minister has responded to this publicly, and as a result of nature of it, I do not intend so as to add any additional remark.”
Tarnawsky claims she has been ‘ostracised’
Tarnawsky first went public along with her claims in a narrative printed by The Guardian on Thursday, and later that morning addressed reporters at Parliament Home.
She mentioned the alleged behaviour has brought about vital misery.
“The occasions of the final 5 months have been devastating, minimize from my job and ostracised with out warning,” Tarnawsky advised reporters on Thursday.
“Individuals have been unaware of my actual state of affairs; I’ve been plagued with nightmares, flashbacks, signs of melancholy and anxiousness, panic assaults and suicidal ideas.
“I had none of those signs earlier than Could 2024.”
Tarnawsky mentioned she had beforehand labored as Marles chief of employees in 2012 and 2013, and had been requested to return after Labor gained the 2022 federal election.
“It was a job I liked till Could this 12 months,” Tarnawsky mentioned.
Tarnawsky alleged she raised claims of bullying inside the workplace throughout a flight residence from Ukraine — the place .
She claimed he acknowledged her considerations and mentioned the pair ought to focus on them.
“Nonetheless, after we returned to Australia, he known as me,” she mentioned. “And in direct response to the considerations I had raised, he made it clear that I ought to begin searching for different employment.”
Michael Bradley, Jo Tarnawsky lawyer, mentioned they had been “not anticipating litigation”. Supply: Equipped
She claimed her makes an attempt to debate and resolve points had been refused, and that Marles had demanded she take a number of weeks of depart.
“I used to be shocked, however he assured me that I had not been stood down and that I might be handled with complete dignity… however once I tried to return to work in June, it was left to the [Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s chief of staff to inform me that I could never return to my role or to the deputy prime minister’s office,” Tarnawsky claimed.
She claimed “no fair process” had been followed and that she was still employed as Marles’ chief of staff but had “been prevented” from doing her job.
A spokesperson for Marles said “a number of the assertions and recollections are contested”, although they did not specify which.
“Ms Tarnawsky has been treated with respect and courtesy,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“At all times, the wellbeing of staff, including Ms Tarnawsky has been front of mind.”
‘Not anticipating litigation’: Tarnawsky’s lawyer
Michael Bradley, Tarnawsky lawyer from the firm Marque Lawyers, told reporters the allegations related to “bullying behaviour and other inappropriate behaviour” among staff within the office but that did not include Marles.
However, Bradley said Tarnawsky “certainly” was alleging “that she had been bullied out of her job and that was at the call of the deputy prime minister”.
“What we are saying is that she’s been the victim of adverse action,” he said. “Effectively, she’s a messenger who has been shot”.
Bradley said he and his client were “not anticipating litigation”, and instead anticipated that “the government will take accountability for what it’s done to Jo and resolve that problem”.
Bradley said a parliament house support service, that was established following , had been engaged.
He was asked by a reporter if Tarnawsky had bullied any staff in the office in the lead up to her alleged effective sacking.
Bradley said: “No such concerns have been raised with her at any point”.
Marles’ spokesperson, when commenting that “a number” of Tarnawsky’s “assertions and recollections are contested”, also said the federal government was “committed to improving workplace behaviour and culture at Parliament House”.
If allegations set out in this story raise issues for you, or you or someone you know needs support – you can seek help through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at .
Readers seeking crisis support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).
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