NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord is stepping down from the shadow ministry after being accused of bullying by past and current colleagues.
Key points:
Walt Secord says he asked to stand aside following a “long reflection”
Several past and present colleagues have accused Mr Secord of bullying
It follows the release of the Broderick review into NSW parliament
Mr Secord, who held several shadow portfolios, said he had asked Opposition Leader Chris Minns to “let me stand aside” after a “long reflection.”
It follows the release of the Broderick review into the culture of the NSW parliament, which exposed a “toxic” environment of bullying and sexual harassment.
Mr Secord has spent more than 30 years in the Labor Party and was serving as the opposition spokesman for police, counter terrorism, arts and heritage and the north coast.
He issued an apology last week after an ABC investigation uncovered allegations against him by several unnamed people.
“Chris [Minns]myself, and the NSW Labor Party have committed to adopting the recommendations of the Broderick review and working across party lines to make the NSW Parliament and NSW politics a workplace we can all be proud of,” he said in a statement.
“I fully support the Broderick review and the change it will hopefully lead to. But my remaining in the shadow ministry at this time has become a distraction from these major revelations and the important work that needs to be done.
“I will be making no further comment.”
Mr Secord is the first NSW politician to step down following the review conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.
Last week, Premier Dominic Perrottet said the findings were “sobering, confronting and unacceptable”.
“If parliamentarians cannot lead and provide an environment where the workplace is safe, what hope do we have for other workplaces across our great state?”
On Friday, Mr Secord apologized for his conduct in office, acknowledging he could be “too blunt and too direct” in the high-pressure environment.
“If any parliamentary staff members feel that my conduct in the workplace was unprofessional and caused offense or distress and was unacceptable, I unreservedly apologize,” he said.
The senior Labor figure said he wanted to be part of “repairing the culture in state parliament, and addressing my behavior as part of that”.
Mr Minns has called a press conference for later this morning.
‘Proactive policing’ in place after double homicide
Detectives say “proactive policing” is underway to prevent retaliation attacks after a double murder in Sydney’s south-west.
Two women, aged 48 and 39, were killed when their car was sprayed with bullets in Revesby on Saturday night.
Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the case had been allocated with significant resources, including officers from gangs squad, Strike Force Raptor.
“And it’s always concerning: What’s the repercussions of all this? But we’re going to be doing our best to try [to] suppress that,” he said.
Police say the older woman was known to them and believe she was targeted because of her “past relationships with other known identities.”
A 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man, who were also in the car during the attack, were uninjured and are cooperating with police.
Detectives are working to determine if several burnt-out cars found nearby are linked and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
NSW Labor leader did not investigate bullying allegations
The Opposition Leader says Labor has an independent complaints-handling system.(Facebook: Chris Minns)
Opposition Leader Chris Minns did not investigate allegations of workplace bullying by his frontbencher, Walt Secord, saying that’s in line with the Labor Party’s complaints-handling policy.
On Friday, Mr Secord “unreservedly apologized” for his conduct and stated that he could be “too blunt and too direct”, after an ABC investigation revealed several of his current and former colleagues alleged he had engaged in bullying behaviour.
The Opposition Leader says the Labor Party has an independent complaints-handling system.
“It is critical that the process remains independent and, therefore, above the review of any parliamentary or party official,” Mr Minns said.
“Any grievances pursued outside this risks supplanting the independent process and the objectives for which it was designed: to protect complainants and to handle their complaints with care, respect and without prejudice.”
The allegations leveled at Mr Secord coincided with the release of the Broderick Review, which found bullying is systemic in the New South Wales parliament.
Barilaro internal review into appointment due today
John Barilaro was due to front the inquiry again on Friday but was unable due to sickness. (AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
An internal review into John Barilaro’s controversial appointment to a lucrative trade role in New York is expected to be released today.
That review — by New South Wales Public Service Commissioner Graeme Head — was announced by the Premier, Dominic Perrottet, in late June and is separate to the parliamentary inquiry into the appointment.
The Head review has already led to the resignation of Stuart Ayres from cabinet and as leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party after it “raised concerns” about his conduct around Mr Barilaro’s appointment.
Calls for more visas for Afghans
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.(Reuters: Ali Khara)
A Sydney human rights lawyer is calling on the federal government to provide 20,000 emergency humanitarian visas for people trapped in Afghanistan.
Today marks one year since the capital, Kabul, fell to the Taliban.
In that time, scores of civilians have been killed or injured, women’s rights have been scaled back and food insecurity has risen, according to a recent Amnesty International report.
Refugee Advice and Casework Service’s Arif Hussein said that increased protections needed to be prioritized.
“Allowing people, refugees from Afghanistan currently in Australia living on temporary visas, to remain here permanently, and allowing for family reunification visas to be processed quicker,” he said.
City2Surf a boost for businesses
About 60,000 people took part in this year’s City2Surf, which returned to Sydney’s streets after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.(ABC News: Helena Burke)
The greater Waverley in Sydney’s east is hopeful this year’s City2Surf has given the local economy a boost.
About 60,000 people took part in the 14-kilometre fun run, which has been held virtually for the past two years.
People traveled from around Australia to take part in the event.
Mayor Paula Masselos said Bondi businesses were bouncing back.
“The cafes, the shops were absolutely packed. It really was fabulous to see the vibe that was there,” she said.
“It was happy. It was positive. COVID has had a significant impact. The City2Surf and other events like this are really important in helping the local economy.”
The release of the report into the workplace culture in NSW Parliament was “dehumanizing” and “frustrating”, a former Liberal staffer and advocate for sexual assault survivors says.
Key points:
The report found one in three staff had experienced bullying or sexual harassment in the past five years
Dhanya Mani says the absence of survivors at the report’s release showed MPs controlling the conversation
The Premier says bullying, harassment, or other misconduct will not be tolerated
Dhanya Mani, who publicly aired allegations of indecent assault against a colleague in 2019, said the report had been handed down with no survivors present.
Conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, the investigation lifted the lid on a “toxic” culture in state parliament.
It found one in three staff had experienced bullying or sexual harassment in the past five years.
Three men and two women reported they had been subjected to an actual or attempted sexual assault at work.
“The optics of this report being released, showed MPs controlling the conversation with survivors completely omitted from that picture,” Ms Mani said.
“It was just something that was very dehumanizing and frustrating. If anything it feeds into these troubling power dynamics that Broderick and her team spoke about in their reports.
“Where they said the power imbalance between staff and MPs was a leading driver that underpins the causes for misconduct.”
Almost 450 people working at the NSW Parliament responded to a survey.(AAP: Bianca De Marchi)
Hearing their experiences being addressed would have been a first for many survivors, Ms Mani said, and leaders of political parties missed an opportunity to stand with them.
As the only survivor advocate representative on the parliamentary advisory group into sexual harassment, bullying and misconduct, she felt particularly aggrieved with the political leaders.
“I’m mystified that neither leader reached out to me in my capacity in that role, to consult on their statements or the way in which they wanted to approach their responses to this report being handed down,” she said.
“To feel that, even when I’m here that I’m not being seen, that my expertise isn’t really been utilized, just makes me also feel really traumatized.”
Almost 450 people working at the NSW parliament responded to a survey which found widespread bullying and everyday sexism.
The report found the human cost of the abuse was high with staff describing the impact on their mental health, their relationships and their career as “devastating”.
The offices of certain MPs and ministers were found to be well-known bullying hotspots.
Staff working there said they feared losing their jobs if they spoke out.
In a statement on Saturday, Premier Dominic Perrottet reiterated that bullying, harassment, or other misconduct will be taken seriously and “not tolerated”.
He also said that recommendations from an earlier review were being implemented.
“Including this year establishing the Respectful Workplaces Policy,” he said.
“The NSW government is also committed to working with our parliamentary colleagues to implement the recommendations of the Broderick Review and ensure the NSW Parliament is a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who works or visits.”
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said that everyone had the right to a safe workplace and that formal complaints will be “handled with priority and seriousness.”
An ABC investigation revealed that several current and former colleagues of Labor frontbencher Walt Secord had named him as having engaged in bullying behaviour.
Mr Secord has subsequently apologized, with Mr Minns adding that he had: “sought assistance on his personal development and growth.”
“Labor recognizes the enormity of the challenges in our parliamentary workplaces,” Mr Minns said.
“The introduction of Labor’s independent complaints process is an important first step. And Labor will seek to fully realize the recommendations of the Broderick report as a political party, in the parliament, and in government.”
Calls for swift action
Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins says parliaments should set the standard.(AAP: Dan Himbrechts)
Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins said the report was “concerning” and demanded an immediate response.
“Parliaments are leading workplaces and should set the standard,” she said.
“It is important that the NSW parliament committed to undertaking this review and it’s vital that it now acts swiftly to implement the recommendations in the report.”
The Public Service Association of NSW, the union that represents many of the staff, said it was not surprised by the nature of the complaints.
“What has shocked us the most is the sheer volume of complaints from staff members working at parliament,” assistant general secretary Troy Wright said.
“Which really indicates these are not isolated incidents but it’s something in the culture of the institution that desperately needs to change.”
He said the union was now focused on making sure the recommendations are implemented.
“It is very clear there are a lot of people who work at Parliament House who currently feel unsafe.
“They feel unsafe from bullying, they feel unsafe from harassment and they feel unsafe from unwanted sexual advances.
“We need commitment from both sides of the house, from every single member of parliament that they recognize there is a cultural problem and they’re there to address it.”
Opposition Leader Chris Minns called Labor’s independent complaints process “an important first step.”(abcnews)
‘Master-serf relationship’ needs to change
The Broderick report outlined a series of recommendations.
They included making early intervention a priority, addressing the cultural drivers of bullying and sexual misconduct and empowering staff to speak up.
The union wants to see changes to the way staff work for MPs are employed.
“The nature of the employment relationship there, particularly for staff that work for members of parliament, is very much a master-serf relationship,” Mr Wright said.
“Many of the staff feel they can not complain and there isn’t a mechanism for them to complain because their careers are very much attached to one individual and that has to change as well.”
NSW Police called on any victims of sexual assault in the NSW parliament to come forward, saying all reports of sexual violence are treated seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.
“Any victim of sexual abuse, whatever the circumstances and no matter where it occurred, is encouraged to report to police so perpetrators can be brought to justice,” a spokesperson said.
Senior NSW Labor frontbencher Walt Secord has “unreservedly apologized” for his conduct, after a review into workplace culture at NSW parliament.
Mr Secord has acknowledged that he can be “too blunt and too direct in a fast-paced workplace”, especially with “strict deadlines and highly-stressful situations”.
“If any parliamentary staff members feel that my conduct in the workplace was unprofessional and caused offense or distress and was unacceptable, I unreservedly apologise,” he said in a statement.
Mr Secord’s statement followed an ABC investigation, in which several of Mr Secord’s current and former colleagues named him as having engaged in bullying behaviour.
They spoke to the ABC in light of the review by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick into the workplace culture of the NSW parliament, which was today made public.
Of those spoken to by the ABC over the past week, five current politicians or former staffers said they had named Mr Secord when interviewed by Ms Broderick or her investigators.
In one submission to Ms Broderick’s investigation obtained by the ABC, a former staffer described the Shadow Police Minister as “a vicious manipulative bully who particularly targeted junior staff and young women”.
“At various times he used his position, size and voice to pressure, berate, intimidate and humiliate staff to get his own way, with no issue too petty to bring about one of his outbursts.”
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NSW Labor leader Chris Minns is questioned about party’s culture
The former staffer described an incident in late 2020 in which he claimed Mr Secord demanded the staff of then-Labor leader, Jodi McKay, send a media release within five minutes of him arriving in his office.
When one member of the office said they needed to send the release to another staffer for her to work on, Mr Secord allegedly replied: “I don’t want her anywhere f…ing near my release”, going on to describe her as “useless”.
According to the submission, when one person objected to the staffer — who was not present to hear the attack — being described as “useless” Mr Secord responded: “You always overstep the mark, you think you’re an MP.”
When others stepped in, Mr Secord allegedly said: “Let’s have it out.”
The submission says after the incident, Mr Secord was banned from Ms McKay’s office.
The account has been corroborated by others in, or walking by, the office at the time of the alleged incident.
In his statement, Mr Secord said “I do not have the same recollections from the staff in the former Leader’s office — especially in relation to raised voices in the workplace”.
The ABC has been contacted by several current NSW Labor MPs — from both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council — and former staffers, who said that, in light of the Broderick review, the party needed to have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying.
There is no suggestion Mr Secord’s alleged behavior involved any physical or sexual violence or harassment.
Several women in the caucus are planning to send a delegation to Mr Minns next week to discuss the issue of Mr Secord, and the broader culture of the Labor Party.
‘Swift action’ needed
A senior figure in the NSW Labor Party, Amanda Fazio, told the ABC one Labor MP had subjected staff to unacceptable behavior for years, but that no action had been taken.
The ABC understands the MP she was referring to was Mr Secord.
A former President of the Legislative Council, Ms Fazio urged Opposition Leader Chris Minns to take “swift action to remove this member from the ranks of the Labor team.”
Ms Fazio said: “The review by Elizabeth Broderick into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in the NSW parliament have brought to light the behavior of a senior member of the Labor team in the Legislative Council.
“Members and staff alike have been subjected to this person’s behavior for years but to date no action has been taken.
“The behavior is both unacceptable and incompatible with the rules of the Labor Party.
“NSW Labor has invested significantly in recent years to improve the culture, inclusivity and to stamp out bullying and harassment.
“This is evidenced by the adoption of a NSW Labor interim Code of Conduct.
“These revelations provide an opportunity for Labor Leader Chris Minns to demonstrate his commitment to improve the culture in the NSW Parliament by taking swift action to remove this member from the ranks of the Labor team.
“I have known Chris for many years and I am confident that he will rise to the challenge and set the standard required within the Labor team in the Legislative Council.”
Amanda Fazio is a former president of the NSW Legislative Council.(Supplied)
Mr Minns said the Broderick review provided an opportunity for all parties to examine their culture.
Asked this morning whether he was aware of the various claims, Mr Minns said: “I’ve never had a complaint made to me by a survivor or a victim directly as the leader of the NSW Labor Party.
“It’s very difficult to make a summary judgment about events or circumstances in which I haven’t been provided the detail but obviously we take all instances or reports of harassment or bullying seriously.”
In his statement, Mr Secord said he was “aware of my shortcomings”.
“I want to be part of repairing the culture in State Parliament, and addressing my behavior as part of that.
“I will be participating fully in any and all education measures or proposals put forward by the review or that the Labor party thinks is required.
“On a personal level, I have already been undertaking counseling due to the experiences and trauma of growing up as the child of a First Nation father and non-First Nation mother on Indian reserve in the 1970s in southern Canada, which has deeply affected me and impacted on my personality.This has made me a forthright person.
“In the last year, my life has changed completely. In October 2021, I married for the first time and have become active in my synagogue.
“That said, the bottom line is that there is no space for this type of behavior in the NSW parliament — or any workplace.”
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‘Please leave the NSW Parliament’: Women Minister calls out workplace harassers
Allegations of sexual assault, harassment and bullying have been uncovered in a landmark investigation into the workplace culture at NSW’s parliament house.
Key points:
Both women and men reported actual or attempted sexual assault
Alcohol was considered a contributing factor and some offices were described as “hotspots” for bullying
Almost 450 people, representing 27.7 per cent of all parliamentary workers, participated in the review
One in three respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment or bullying in the past five years, according to the review conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.
The report found 52 per cent of bullying incidents were allegedly perpetrated by members of parliament.
Two per cent of workers indicated they had experienced actual or attempted sexual assault and almost 10 per cent said they had heard about or witnessed at least one sexual assault.
“Both women and men reported experiences of actual or attempted sexual assault,” the report found.
The NSW Parliamentary Executive Group announced the engagement of Ms Broderick to lead the independent review in July last year.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the culture in parliament had become “toxic” in many instances and the report demonstrated the need for change.
“It is sobering, confronting and unacceptable,” he said.
“Every workplace across our state should be free from harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault but this is not the case in the NSW parliament.
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‘Sobering and confronting’: NSW Premier vows to end workplace harassment in Parliament
“If parliamentarians cannot lead and provide an environment where the workplace is safe, what hope do we have for other workplaces across our great state?”
Almost 450 people, representing 27.7 per cent of all NSW parliamentary workers, participated in the review.
There were more than 100 one-on-one interviews, seven confidential group listening sessions, and 58 confidential written submissions.
The review found bullying was significant across parliamentary workplaces, describing it as “systemic” and “multi-directional”.
Workers have low confidence in structural or cultural protections to prevent bullying or to stop it once it occurs, the report said.
Some offices were described as “well-known hotspots” characterized by high rates of staff turnover related to harmful behaviours.
Workers told the review they had low confidence that bullying would stop if reported.(Supplied: Parliament of NSW)
About half of the reported incidents occurred at parliament house with the remainder occurring at electorate offices, during work-related travel, at work-related social functions and online.
Alcohol was considered to be a contributing factor.
Mr Perrottet said the report only marked the beginning of cultural reform in the NSW parliament and pledged to follow through on its recommendations.
These include strengthening internal policies and codes of conduct, reducing alcohol use, increasing support services and monitoring those “well-known hotspots” for bullying.
“Today, change will happen. This report will not be the end. This report will be the beginning,” he said.
Minister for Women and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor told MPs and parliamentary staff they need to set the example for behavior in the parliament.
“For those particular people that may be reading this report today, you know who you are, and my very strong advice to you is that you do not belong in the Parliament of NSW,” she said.
“I ask you to think very long and hard about this, and I ask you to make sure that if this is you that is mentioned, get the help that you need and please leave the NSW parliament.”
The Opposition Leader said the review paints a “dark picture” on both sides of politics.(Supplied: NSW Parliament)
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the review “paints a really dark picture” for all sides of politics.
“We all need to do better, reach across the aisle, and make sure that we’re making every possible effort to make the NSW parliament a safe workplace.”
He said the report showed there was no real avenue for people to make complaints in the workplace and he supports calls for an independent complaint process to deal with allegations against politicians, MPs and ministerial staff.
“[Currently the] only avenue is to make a complaint to somebody, potentially from the same political party, who has an in-built apprehended bias, a perceived bias or actual bias.”
Independent MP Alex Greenwich said the report painted an unacceptable and unsafe workplace at NSW parliament.
“The experience of women and LGBTIQA+ staff is harrowing, we should set the standard, not be beyond the pale,” Mr Greenwich said.
“Workplaces that welcome and support LGBTIQA+ staff are safer workplaces for everyone, and the NSW parliament has a lot of work to do in this regard.”
The review, commissioned by former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, said ministerial offices were “unique workplaces”, where staff were under intense public scrutiny and employment protections for ministers were “vastly greater” than those of their staff.
An aged care home that failed numerous safety standards and raised the ire of the community is recruiting an interim CEO.
Key points:
Warrnambool’s Lyndoch Living has today confirmed it is actively recruiting an interim CEO
A WorkSafe inquiry is underway following allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff and residents
A community group wants the federal government remove the board and chief executive and appoint an administrator
Warrnambool’s Lyndoch Living today confirmed it was actively recruiting while current CEO, Doreen Power, takes leave.
It comes amid a WorkSafe inquiry that is underway after allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff and residents were leveled against Ms Power.
Last week south-west MP Roma Britnell used parliamentary privilege to accuse Ms Power of acting with “subterfuge and arrogance”.
Ms Britnell told the Legislative Assembly the aged care provider’s board should remove her.
“The aged care provider has had more than 200 staff leave over the past couple of years amid claims of bullying and intimidation from the upper management that’s created a toxic workplace,” Ms Britnell said.
“I believe Ms Powell is the source of many of these problems, especially the toxic workplace environment.
“I fear residents’ wellbeing is now at risk.”
Liberal MP Roma Britnell speaks at a community rally against Lyndoch earlier this year.(Supplied: Roma Britnell)
Community unrest has been growing since Ms Power’s tenure began in Warrnambool in 2015.
In recent years, a community action group called “Keep Lyndoch Living” was formed and amassed over 700 members.
According to its Facebook site, the page was created to “give people in the Warrnambool region a space where they can safely discuss the future prosperity of our primary community-based aged care facility, Lyndoch Living.”
Group member Jim Burke said the situation had continued to deteriorate.
The group wants the federal government to remove the board and chief executive and appoint an administrator.
“They need to sort out a more representative board that is accountable to the community. At the moment they elect themselves.”
More than 100 local applications for membership from community members were denied in 2021 with no explanation.
More than 100 applications for membership to Lyndoch from community members have been denied.(Supplied: Jim Burke)
Prior to her seven-year Warrnambool stint, Ms Power was CEO of Plenty Valley Community Health for two years between 2012 and 2014, and CEO of Seymour Health from 2007 to 2014.
Ms Power has been contacted by the ABC for comment.
Lyndoch Living board president Susan Cassidy said Julie Bertram — the current director of innovation and organizational development — would lead the executive team until an interim CEO was appointed.
“We assure the Lyndoch and broader communities that our priority is the care and safety of our residents and staff, as we face continued challenges caused by workforce shortages in our region,” she said.
“We thank each and every one of our staff members for their dedicated service.”
Audit finds non-compliance
Lyndoch Living has failed numerous safety standards in three consecutive aged care commission audits.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission told the ABC an unannounced audit in April this year at Lyndoch’s hostel and nursing home found the hostel non-compliant in seven areas, and the nursing home non-compliant in five areas.
Areas of noncompliance included falls, choking and unexplained weight loss.
From July 19 to 22 the commission conducted a second unannounced site visit to Lyndoch’s May Noonan Center and is compiling a report now.
“The Commission is closely monitoring the services,” a spokesman for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission said.
“If we assess at any point that consumers are being placed at immediate and severe risk of harm, we will not hesitate to act urgently and without delay to protect consumers.”
Ms Britnell’s federal counterpart, Liberal MP Dan Tehan, said the commission had received 43 complaints about Lyndoch since July last year.
Minister for Disability, Aging and Carers Colin Brooks told the ABC he has written to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission about Lyndoch Living.
“I am aware of the community’s concerns regarding Lyndoch and have written to the commission to ask for their continued support in working with Lyndoch,” Mr Brooks said.
Another senior doctor from the Canberra Hospital has lodged a case in the Federal Court, opposing an investigation by the hospital into claims of bullying and misconduct.
Key points:
Court documents lay out details of findings from several inquiries which drew on allegations from staff in the hospital’s cardiology department
Dr Alasady was told in March that he would be suspended, during a formal investigation
He says he has been treated unfairly and has been denied the opportunity to practice his profession
Cardiologist Muayad Alasady has been suspended by the hospital while the investigation takes place.
His statement of claim reveals he wants the Federal Court to revoke his suspension and stop the investigation, on the grounds he has been denied procedural fairness under his enterprise agreement.
The documents lay out details of findings from several inquiries that drew on allegations from staff in the hospital’s cardiology department.
The initial report, commissioned in 2020, listed allegations of inappropriate behavior by some people working in the department, with claims of bullying and outbursts, including swearing, kicking doors and throwing objects, and consultants shouting and screaming at each other.
The report found there was a culture of blame and a lack of respect for co-workers by some doctors.
And the report also noted there was a clash between Dr Alasady and another doctor.
But the court documents point out that managers considered the report and took no action against Dr Alasady.
The fact they didn’t tell him what they had considered was a breach of the enterprise agreement and a denial of procedural fairness, the documents claim.
The documents outline how the same thing happened with later inquiries that detailed similar allegations, to which he wasn’t able to respond.
Dr Alasady was told in March that he would be suspended, during a formal investigation.
In their submissions to the court, his lawyers said he had been treated unfairly.
“The effect of the suspension decision is that the applicant has suffered reputational harm and denied the opportunity to practice his profession,” the submission states.
Last month, intensive care doctor Bronwyn Avard took her case to the Federal Court after she was subjected to an investigation for misconduct, including allegations of bullying, and urged not to come to work.
Dr Avard said she believed she was the target of retaliation for raising safety concerns over several years.
