Labor MP Emma Husar has announced she will not contest the next federal election, after BuzzFeed News revealed she was being investigated by NSW Labor over allegations of sexual harassment, workplace bullying, and misconduct.
"It's a really...sad day, it's a disappointing day for me," Husar told Nine News on Wednesday. "And I've made the decision, the agonising decision that I won't be recontesting Lindsay at the next election.
"Enough's enough. You know, I'm going to do this on my terms. I'm not going to let people just keep pummelling me the way they have for the last three weeks, with no evidence, with no facts and just vexatious, malicious allegations that are just designed to smear me.
"I could absolutely have done better. Am I perfect? No way. I'm not going to sit here and say that I am perfect."
But Husar won't be sparking a by-election by quitting parliament. Instead, she intends to remain as the Labor member for the marginal Western Sydney seat of Lindsay until the next election.
Full statement from Emma Husar:
BuzzFeed News revealed in July that NSW Labor had commissioned an investigation into allegations of workplace bullying and misconduct against Husar. Over 200,000 words of evidence have been given by more than 20 witnesses so far.
Husar has refused to answer BuzzFeed News' questions about the allegations levelled against her, including misuse of funds and entitlements, misuse of staff, workplace bullying, intimidation, verbal abuse, spreading false rumours, sexualised behaviour, and sexual harassment.
On Monday Husar gave a statement and answered questions through a spokesperson, denying some of the allegations.
The NSW Labor investigation - that has been running for six months - is due to be completed in coming days.
Earlier on Wednesday, Labor leader Bill Shorten repeated claims that he was not told about the investigation, and was only made aware that it was taking place when BuzzFeed News put questions to NSW Labor last month.
But Labor sources say Shorten was made aware of the allegations about Husar’s behavior last year. His office denies this.