Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for her question. Given what has happened, it's an important question to be asked. The short answer is that I am satisfied, but I would like to say this. Jo Tarnawsky first started working with me as my chief of staff when I was the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, back in 2012. Jo is a person that I have known, therefore, for a long time. She is a wonderful person. In her role then and in her role now, she has given me great service, and I remain deeply grateful for that. Jo is a person who is completely committed to social justice in this country, and I very much admire her for that.

Given all of that, it's stating the obvious that, in this moment, I feel deeply sad that events have got to where they have. This is obviously very difficult. Let me say that, in the way in which I've 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.

As is evident, this matter is now in the hands of lawyers—and of course that is absolutely Jo's right, but it does mean that it is very difficult for me to say anything more on this issue.

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