Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister, and I refer to the allegations that were made today by the chief of staff to the Deputy Prime Minister. Under the ministerial code of conduct:

Ministers have an obligation to demonstrate and uphold the highest workplace standards, including maintaining a safe and respectful workplace for their staff.

Is the Deputy Prime Minister satisfied that he has complied with his obligations under the code?

Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to 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.