Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has faced sharp questioning in Parliament after his chief of staff, Jo Tarnawsky, made allegations of workplace bullying.
The opposition, led by Deputy Leader Susan Ley, raised the issue, challenging Marles to comply with the ministerial code of conduct in handling the situation.
Tarnawsky, who had served as Marles’ chief of staff since 2012 and returned to the role following the 2022 election, accused him of forcing her out of her job after she privately raised concerns over bullying within his office.
Tarnawsky said that after complaining during an official trip to Ukraine in April, Marles told her to seek new employment upon returning to Australia.
“I am being bullied out of the job I loved. My workplace is not safe,” she told reporters on Oct. 10.
However, there was no further detail about the nature of the bullying and what actually occurred.
She did express disappointment in the government’s response to her concerns, stating, “The prime minister has committed the government to ensuring the safety of women in this building, and I ask the Prime Minister [Anthony Albanese] to hold these commitments in full.”
During parliamentary question time, Ley pressed Marles, asking whether he was satisfied with how the matter had been handled.
Marles responded: “The short answer is yes, I am satisfied ... Jo is a wonderful person, and it saddens me deeply that things have come to this.”
He further emphasised that Tarnawsky’s welfare had been his priority and noted that the matter is now in the hands of lawyers, limiting what he could say.
Ley continued questioning Marles when he first discussed the bullying allegations with Prime Minister Albanese or his office.
Marles did not answer directly, stating that “since the matter is now with lawyers, it is difficult to comment in detail,” but he confirmed that Albanese had been made aware of the issue several months ago.
There is little clarity on whether Tarnawsky will continue to hold the position. However, during her press conference, she said it was a job she had dreamed of since she first visited Parliament House as a child.
“Now I am the most senior female chief of staff on the hill, and my workplace is not safe,” she said.
She also added that Parliament House needs to be a better workplace than it currently is.
“There are enough good people around to make a difference, but it requires ongoing effort and for each person here to make a choice, to call out bad behaviour when you see it,” she added.
