Deputy PM denies chief of staff 'bullied out of her job'

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has responded to claims made by his chief of staff, Jo Tarnawsky, who alleges she was "bullied out of her job" after raising a bullying complaint.

Tarnawsky, a long-serving public servant, accused the deputy prime minister's office of failing to follow a "fair process" after she raised concerns about bullying among colleagues.

"I continue to be employed officially as the deputy prime minister's chief of staff, but I have been prevented from doing my job," she said as quoted by ABC. "I know it won't be long now before I am bullied out of this place completely."

Marles said that he feels "very sad that events have got to where they have."

"The way in which I have tried to manage this, I have done so with Jo's welfare in mind at every moment, as I would try to manage things on that basis for all of my staff," the deputy prime minister said during Question Time.

A spokesperson for Marles also told ABC News that "a number of the assertions and recollections are contested," maintaining that the chief of staff has been "treated with respect and courtesy."

"At all times, the wellbeing of staff, including Ms Tarnawsky, has been front of mind. Out of respect for Ms Tarnawsky, and the prospect of legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to make further comment," the spokesperson added.

"The Albanese government is committed to improving workplace behaviour and culture at Parliament House."

'Bullied out of her job'

According to Tarnawsky, the situation began in late April when she raised concerns with Marles regarding what she described as "bullying behaviour within the office" during a trip back from Ukraine.

Upon returning to Australia, she alleges Marles advised her to "start looking for alternative employment" and suggested she take a leave of absence.

Tarnawsky claims that when she attempted to return to her position in June, she was told by the Prime Minister's chief of staff that she could not resume her role or enter her office.

"The way I have been treated has been cowardly, cruel, and completely unnecessary," she said as quoted by ABC News.

Tarnawsky added that her mental health had been severely impacted, suffering from "nightmares, flashbacks, symptoms of depression and anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and suicidal thoughts," which she said only emerged after May 2024.

Neither Tarnawsky nor her lawyer, Michael Bradley, provided specifics on the bullying allegations against her colleagues. Bradley described Tarnawsky as "effectively a messenger that's been shot" but clarified that no litigation is currently anticipated.