Deputy PM's top aide says she was fired for reporting bullying.

During a recent press conference, Jo Tarnawsky, the chief of staff for the deputy prime minister, revealed that she had been excluded from her job after expressing concerns about her colleagues' behavior. Tarnawsky, who has been a longtime staffer for the Labor Party, stated that she had reported incidents of bullying and inappropriate conduct among her colleagues to her boss, Richard Marles, back in April.

According to Tarnawsky, she had a private conversation with the deputy prime minister during a flight home from a trip to Ukraine, where she raised her concerns about the bullying behavior in the office. Marles acknowledged her concerns, but upon returning to Australia, he made it clear that she should start looking for a new job. Tarnawsky was then asked to take several weeks of leave and upon her return, was informed that she could no longer work in her role.

Tarnawsky expressed her frustration, stating that she had not had any direct contact with Marles since May and that she was being prevented from doing her job. She claimed that she was not allowed to access her office without giving 24 hours' notice and had been warned to stay away from the deputy prime minister's office. Tarnawsky also stated that she felt like she was being pushed out of her job and that the way she was being treated was "cowardly, cruel, and completely unnecessary."

It is worth noting that Tarnawsky's complaint about bullying did not directly involve Marles. Her lawyer also stated that they did not anticipate any legal action to be taken. Despite this, Tarnawsky is still technically the chief of staff at Marles' office, but she is being prevented from fulfilling her duties.

Tarnawsky called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to address the issues she had raised and reminded him of his commitment to implementing workplace reforms and ensuring the safety of women in Parliament. She also mentioned the need for higher standards in the ministerial code of conduct.

In response to Tarnawsky's claims, a spokesperson for Marles stated that he contested her allegations and recollections. They also stated that the well-being of all staff, including Tarnawsky, was their top priority. Out of respect for Tarnawsky and the possibility of legal proceedings, further comments were not appropriate at this time. The spokesperson also reiterated the government's commitment to improving workplace behavior and culture at Parliament House.

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