Canberra is abuzz with scandal and surprise policy shifts this week, as Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles faces a bombshell lawsuit from his own chief of staff, Jo Tarnawsky. Meanwhile, the Greens have suddenly reversed course to support the government’s housing bill after months of heated opposition, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Deputy PM Sued by Top Staffer
In a shocking development, Jo Tarnawsky, the chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, has filed a federal court action against her boss and the government. Tarnawsky alleges she faced retaliation and career sabotage after raising a bullying complaint against a colleague.
According to court filings, Tarnawsky claims she was effectively locked out of her office and advised to find another job shortly after bringing the alleged bullying to Marles’ attention six weeks ago. While not directly accusing Marles or PM Albanese’s chief of staff Tim Gartrell of bullying, Tarnawsky has named them as respondents in her adverse action case under the Fair Work Act.
“I’ve been left with no choice but to take legal action to protect my rights and hold those responsible to account,” Tarnawsky said in a statement. “No one should face retaliation for standing up against workplace bullying.”
The bombshell lawsuit has sent shockwaves through Parliament House, with many wondering how deep the alleged toxic culture runs. Opposition leaders have pounced, demanding answers from the PM on what he knew and when.
Greens Flip-Flop on Housing
In an abrupt about-face, the Greens have announced they will now support the Albanese government’s Help to Buy shared equity housing scheme, after staunchly opposing it for months. The minor party failed to extract any concessions from Labor but will back the bill anyway.
The reversal is a major blow to Greens housing spokesperson Max Chandler-Mather, who had made blocking the scheme a signature crusade. Insiders say Chandler-Mather was overruled by party leadership, who feared being seen as obstructionist on the popular policy.
“While the bill is far from perfect, allowing the housing crisis to worsen is not an option,” a Greens source said. “We’ll keep fighting to strengthen it but believe helping people buy homes can’t wait.”
The Greens’ capitulation clears the way for Help to Buy’s passage, a major win for the embattled PM. But critics argue the scheme is a band-aid that will inflate prices without boosting supply.
Power Grid Braces for Heatwave
As if the political dramas weren’t enough, a looming heatwave threatens to place further strain on the government. Parts of Western Sydney are set to hit a scorching 40C on Friday, just as several major coal plants go offline.
Energy ministers have warned of “tight” power supplies in NSW and QLD, urging residents to conserve electricity. Temporary diesel generators are on standby to avoid blackouts.
“We’re confident the lights and air con will stay on, but we need everyone to pitch in by not wasting energy,” said Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.
The confluence of crises has many wondering if the Albanese government is facing a meltdown of its own. With pressure mounting on all fronts, the next days and weeks will be a crucial test of the PM’s leadership and crisis management skills. For now, all of Canberra is waiting anxiously to see what shoe will drop next in this Winter of Discontent.
