Key details of a bullying investigation into the federal Labor MP Emma Husar have been leaked but NSW Labor denies the inquiry has been breached or compromised.



Husar told Fairfax Media she believes the internal Labor investigation into her federal electorate office has been compromised by leaks after details were published in the media.

But NSW Labor insists lawyer John Whelan’s inquiry is by the book.

“These claims are rejected and plainly wrong,” a NSW Labor spokesman said on Tuesday. “Any breaches in confidentiality have not come from the independent assessment.”

Husar said the vast majority of the allegations were vague and without names or dates.

“I reject them absolutely,” she said. “I’ve co-operated fully with the process and maintained the confidentiality through my silence. It is clear this process is now hopelessly compromised.”

But Labor said Whelan’s report methodology stood up to scrutiny.

“It has been carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures for investigations where many complainants ask to be de-identified for fear of recrimination,” the party said.

NSW Labor also said Whelan should be allowed to continue his work without being smeared.

Husar said bullying allegations against her surfaced after she sacked an adviser for poor performance.

“The coverage of this has been nothing short of devastating professionally and reputationally,” she said in a statement to Fairfax. “I’m not sure I will ever recover. But I am determined to clear my name.”

The member for Lindsay has been accused of bullying and sexually harassing staff in her electorate office and diverting Labor funds into her personal bank account.

According to documents obtained by Fairfax Media and conversations with a spokeswoman, Husar contends the original allegations came to light after the staffer’s dismissal last October.

The former staffer has denied Husar’s claim about his poor performance, labelling it “false and defamatory”.

The Whelan report into the allegations is due to be handed to Labor bosses this week, just days out from federal parliament resuming.

