Richard Marles’ chief of staff Jo Tarnawsky claims she was ‘bullied out of her job’

Richard Marles’ chief of staff Jo Tarnawsky has made bombshell allegations that she was forced out of her job after seeking help over workplace bullying, a series of events she says have left her with “suicidal thoughts”.

Ms Tarnawsky, one of the Government’s most senior female advisers, claims the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister essentially removed her from the role over the phone in April without proper process after she came forward to complain about behaviour she allegedly experienced by colleagues.

Ms Tarnawsky worked for Mr Marles when Labor was last in office and returned to run his office after the 2022 election. She is still employed as his chief of staff, but claims she has been prevented from doing her job, barred from the office, moved into a temporary role elsewhere, and has not seen or heard from Mr Marles in months.

In an emotional press conference on Thursday, Ms Tarnawsky said she been left “broken”, and suffered panic attacks and suicidal thoughts as a result of the months-long ordeal.

She has not launched legal action and said she instead wanted “accountability” from a Government that has prided itself on a commitment to improve welfare and culture in Parliament House.

Mr Marles, who has not been accused of bullying, said he felt “deeply sad that events have got to where they have”.

“She is a wonderful person, she has given me great service and I remain deeply grateful for that,” he told Question Time.

“The way in which I have tried to manage this, I have done so with Jo’s welfare in mind at every moment.”

He said he felt satisfied he had abided by the ministerial code of conduct.

Neither Ms Tarnawsky nor her legal representative provided details of what the alleged bullying involved, only that she was subject to treatment that was “cowardly, cruel, and completely unnecessary”.

She said she raised her concerns about other staff members with Mr Marles on their flight home from Ukraine in April, and that he had initially acknowledged her concerns.

“When we returned to Australia, he called me, and in direct response to the concerns I had raised, he made it clear that I should start looking for alternative employment,” she said.

“Any of my attempts to resolve the issue or to discuss it in person were refused. He demanded that I take several weeks of leave immediately. I was shocked, but he assured me that I had not been stood down and that I would be treated with total dignity.

“He said, ‘trust me, I know how to handle this’.”

But she said when she returned to work, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff informed her she could “never return to my role, or to the Deputy Prime Minister’s office”.

She was moved to another role temporarily, but it’s understood that contract expired at the end of September.

She claimed “no fair process has been followed”, and that despite still being employed in the role, she is not able to access her office in the Ministerial wing “unless I provide 24 hours’ notice”.

“I have not seen or heard from the Deputy Prime Minister for months,” she said.

She called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to act on his commitment to “ensure the safety of women in this building”.

Marque Lawyers’ managing partner Michael Bradley, who accompanied Ms Tarnawsky at the press conference, described her as “a messenger who’s been shot”.

“Jo raised a legitimate concern about issues within the office of the Deputy Prime Minister, including bullying behaviour and the response to that was to effectively drive her out of her job, so that’s the essence,” Mr Bradley said.

He said she was a victim of adverse action, and that the parliamentary support service set up after Brittany Higgins’ allegations had been “involved” – but did not specify if a formal complaint had been made.

Mr Bradley was asked if he was aware of any staff in Mr Marles’ office raising concerns about Ms Tarnawsky, including that she blocked access to the Minister or had bullied or undermined staff.

“No such concerns have been raised,” he said.

Mr Marles said Mr Albanese was aware of Ms Tarnawsky’s allegations, and that both their offices had been working “for months” on the matter.

Speaking from Laos, Mr Albanese confirmed he was aware of the claims and had been briefed on it.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Ms Tarnawsky had been “incredibly brave” in coming forward and said Mr Marles needed to front the media and address the accusations.

“Her story is very concerning, and I don’t think it’s something the government can let go through to the keeper,” Mr Dutton said.