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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Karen Middleton Political editor

Independence of parliamentary support service questioned amid Marles’ dispute with former chief of staff

Jo Tarnawsky, the chief of staff to deputy prime minister Richard Marles
Jo Tarnawsky alleges that after complaining to the deputy prime minister, Richard Marles, about colleagues’ behaviour she was left in employment limbo. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

The employment dispute between Richard Marles and his chief of staff, Jo Tarnawsky, is raising questions about the independence of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, after it sent Tarnawsky a legal letter that included Marles’ side.

When Tarnawsky’s lawyer wrote to Marles on 24 June, the deputy prime minister and defence minister referred the letter to the PWSS, which engaged top-tier Sydney-based law firm Ashurst to provide legal advice.

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