E & OE
FIFIELD:
The news that Emma Husar will resign at the next election leaves a string of questions that Bill Shorten must answer.
Bill Shorten needs to front up and tell the truth about what he knew, when he knew it and what action he took.
There are reportedly 22 Labor staff who have made complaints. What role has Bill Shorten played in this cover up?
Does Bill Shorten still believe that it’s a crime to bully?
Can Bill Shorten guarantee that there has been no misuse of taxpayer funds, that there has been no abuse of parliamentary entitlements and that there are no workplace laws that have been breached.
The Labor report into this matter needs to be made public so we can all know what has occurred. Did Bill Shorten’s staff receive phone calls about these matters? Did those staff tell Bill Shorten what was happening? But if they didn’t tell Bill Shorten, what sort of operation is he running?
Bill Shorten talks a lot about the workers, but this is yet another example of Bill Shorten selling the workers down the river.
Bill Shorten needs to front. He needs to give an account of what he knew, when he knew it and what he did.
He needs to give an assurance that there are no laws that have been broken, that there are no entitlements that have been abused.
And he should also answer what inquiries he has made about the welfare of these staff. Parliamentary staff work hard in the interests of the Australian people and Bill Shorten should satisfy himself as to what has occurred in this circumstance.
JOURNALIST:
Minister, aren’t you flogging a dead horse here, her political career is over. That surely would have been the result of this report if it becomes public anyway?
FIFIELD:
Today is a day for Mr Shorten to front up and answer questions.
Thank you.
[ends]