Husar says she is ‘deeply disappointed’ and is considering her options

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Emma Husar says she is “deeply disappointed” and is considering her options after New South Wales Labor’s decision to dump her as the party’s candidate for the seat of Lindsay.

The state administrative committee met on Friday and “resolved to withdraw its endorsement” of the sitting member at next year’s federal election, the party said in a statement.

The NSW branch has referred the preselection of Labor’s new candidate to the national executive, meaning there won’t be a normal rank and file ballot.

Emma Husar launches defamation suit over 'slut-shaming' BuzzFeed report Read more

“I will be challenging the validity of this decision because I believe it is inconsistent with the party’s own rules,” Husar told News Corp Australia on Friday.

Soon after she tweeted that she was “deeply disappointed” by the decision, adding that she was awaiting advice on the reasons for the decision and was considering her options.

The federal Labor leader, Bill Shorten, is of the view that Husar shouldn’t contest the next election in 2019.

Husar announced in August she would not run after allegations were levelled against her of bullying and sexual harassment.

Emma Husar MP 💪🏼 (@emmahusarmp) Deeply disappointed that my endorsement for Lindsay has been withdrawn today by @NSWLabor. I have not been advised as to the reasons for, as set out in the Party rules. I’ll await this advice in the interests of procedural fairness and in the meantime I’ll consider my options.

But she revealed last week she’d since changed her mind and was eager to recontest the seat.

A Labor investigation found Husar had mistreated her electorate staff but did not find evidence to support claims of sexual harassment or of her flashing another federal MP.

Shorten said his view had not changed since the Lindsay MP announced she was quitting.

“I said at the time ... I thought that was the right decision then, both for her and the party,” he told reporters in Canberra on Friday. “I haven’t changed my mind.”

Husar is also gearing up for a defamation lawsuit against the media outlet that revealed the allegations made against her in a confidential Labor internal investigation which included evidence from more than 20 people.

Husar told parliament on Thursday she’d launched legal action against BuzzFeed and journalist Alice Workman over their story in early August.

Play Video 3:27 'I am not a bully ... I am not a thief': Emma Husar to sue BuzzFeed – video

“They went ahead and published their slut-shaming story knowing with full intent that it would go viral,” Husar told parliament.

“I am not a bully. I am not Sharon Stone. I am not a thief. And I did not deliberately misuse my work expenses.”

BuzzFeed has said it is aware of Husar’s action.

“We’re considering our position with our lawyers and will respond in due course,” BuzzFeed said.