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Health

WorkSafe drops investigation into Victorian MP Kaushaliya Vaghela's bullying allegations

WorkSafe has dropped its investigation into bullying allegations a former Victorian Labor MP publicly made against her party earlier this year.

The workplace safety body launched its inquiry after MP Kaushaliya Vaghela quit the party and went public with her allegations of bullying and intimidation.

Ms Vaghela, who has represented the Western Metropolitan region in the upper house since 2018, voted against her party and has remained on the crossbench since resigning.

She also criticised the office of Premier Daniel Andrews over the way it responded to her complaints.

Mr Andrews has said publicly that there had been an issue with a staff member in his office, who later lost their job. 

WorkSafe said it used "coercive powers" to access information used to decide whether the occupational health and safety act had been breached.

In its investigation, WorkSafe scrutinised bodies and individuals including the premier, staff in the premier's private office, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and some members of the public.

The organisation's executive director of health and safety has the power to decide whether or not to prosecute issues, underpinned by legal advice.

"On the basis of the evidence, and taking into account WorkSafe's General Prosecution Guidelines, WorkSafe will not take further action on this matter at this time," its statement said.

"WorkSafe will not comment further on this matter as avenues of independent review remain open."

Ms Vaghela responded to the decision on social media, saying she was "disgusted" by the way the investigation had been conducted.

She said she had only had one "preliminary telephone discussion" with WorkSafe soon after her complaint.

"WorkSafe Victoria informed me they would contact me for a meeting which I thought would be my chance to put my case to them," she said.

"The meeting never happened."

The MP said she was planning to issue a "more comprehensive statement".

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