The political staffer at the center of the latest bullying allegations involving federal parliament had played a major role in Labour’s last two federal election campaigns.
Jo Tarnawsky, chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, alleges that her boss’s media director, Kate Hanns, ignored and belittled her at work.
She also claims Hanns, who was one of Labour’s deputy communications directors for the 2022 election, excluded her from crucial information within the office.
Ms Tarnawsky has brought a claim in the Federal Court against the federal government, Mr Marles and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, alleging she was subjected to “adverse measures” under the Fair Work Act. .
The former diplomat alleges Marles fired her from her $270,000 job after she complained about Hanns seven months ago.
Ms Tarnawsky’s statement of claim alleges that Ms Hanns bullied and harassed her since May last year and froze her out of the culture of the position.
She claims that she was denied access to Mr. Marles’ diary, that she was removed from team emails, and that “photographs of her dog had been removed from the shared office pet wall.”
Ms Tarnawsky says she was treated in “an abrasive, hostile and exclusionary manner” and that since May last year she was subjected to “increasing conduct” by Ms Hanns.
Jo Tarnawsky, chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, alleges that her boss’ media director Kate Hanns (above) ignored and belittled her in the workplace.
Hanns has worked for Marles since 2019, when the ALP was in opposition, and was previously on the staff of Labor MP, now Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth.
Her first political job was as a media adviser to former Labor MP David Feeney in 2014. She previously worked for 21st Century Fox and Southern Cross Austereo.
Ms. Hanns is not the only person Ms. Tarnawsky accuses of bullying and harassment, but was the “primary perpetrator,” according to her statement of claim.
“Ms. Hanns…meant much more to Mr. Marles than simply an important member of staff,” that statement said.
The claim further states that Ms. Tarnaswky received “regular praise for her high performance” in her position and “did not receive criticism or negative comments about her performance.”
Tarnawsky’s lawyer, Michael Bradley, of Marque Lawyers, told Daily Mail Australia his client was “frozen” from her job after complaining to Marles.
The chief of staff had traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Poland and Ukraine with her boss and other staff members in April.
“He texted Marles while they were on a plane returning from a trip to Europe,” Bradley said.
Jo Tarnawsky (above) has launched a claim in the Federal Court against Marles and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, alleging she was subjected to “adverse measures” under the Fair Work Act.
“He responded favorably and said they would talk the next day, but the next day he basically kicked her out.
“The deputy prime minister told her he didn’t want her to work for him anymore and she was excluded from that moment.”
Tarnawsky claims Marles spoke to Albanese’s chief of staff, Tim Gartrell, on April 29 and “informed him that he no longer wanted her in his office.”
As of April 30, Tarnawsky was denied access to his office and his personal belongings were still there, Bradley said.
Tarnawsky has not suggested that Marles bullied her, and her office has disputed her claims.
She was still employed on “various leaves” but had been “effectively removed” and replaced by an interim chief of staff, Ms. Bradley said.
Bradley said Tarnawsky was exercising a workplace right when she made the bullying complaint and Marles allegedly forcing her out of her position was “adverse action”, illegal under the Fair Work Act.
In a statement in Parliament, Tarnawsky told reporters that he was not aware of any investigation into the alleged harassment.
“It has been more than 200 days since I privately raised my concerns with the deputy prime minister about bullying behavior in his office,” he said.
“As a result, I was exiled. My employment situation remains unresolved. No member of the government has come to check on my well-being.
Tarnawsky, a former diplomat, alleges that Marles fired her from her $270,000 job after she complained about Hanns seven months ago. Mr. Marles and Mrs. Hanns are surrounded by a circle
“After the showcase of parliamentary workplace reforms has been launched, the government is testing in real time what it can get away with.”
Ms Tarnawsky, who is seeking unspecified damages, claims she has suffered financial losses, including medical bills, as well as suffering harm, humiliation and damage to her reputation.
The allegations come after the government passed legislation establishing a new independent body to crack down on bad behavior in parliament.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) began functioning on 1 October.
Marles was forced to address the allegations during question time last month when coalition MP Sussan Ley asked him if he felt he had fulfilled his ministerial obligations to maintain a safe and respectful workplace.
The House of Representatives fell silent as he struggled to give his response, telling the chamber: “To state the obvious, at this moment, I feel very sad that events have come to where they are.”
‘Obviously it’s very difficult.
“Let me say that in the way I have tried to manage this, I have done so with Jo’s wellbeing in mind at all times as I would try to manage things on that basis for all my staff.”
Marles said he admired Tarnawsky’s commitment to social justice and described her as a “wonderful person.”
He added: “As is evident, this matter is now in the hands of lawyers – of course Jo has every right, but that means it is difficult for me to say anything more about it.”
Ms Tarnawsky is the highest-ranking female politician in the government.