Independent MP Craig Kelly insists his office is safe for young women despite a senior staff member being under investigation for inappropriate behaviour.
Mr Kelly's sensational departure from the Liberal Party has done nothing to stave off questions about the conduct of his office manager Frank Zumbo.
The Department of Finance has been asked to look into the harassment claims against Mr Zumbo, while NSW Police are also investigating the allegations.
Mr Zumbo denies any wrongdoing and no charges have been laid.
He is subject to an apprehended violence order preventing him from contacting, harassing and intimidating a teenage former intern in Mr Kelly's office.
Mr Kelly says he has investigated the allegations and does not believe they are true, but he will co-operate with the inquiries.
"I've had extensive discussions with my current staff. I am more than comfortable that my office is a safe place to work," he told the ABC.
"I've got several staff members at the moment, two young girls, they have my mobile phone number to contact me at any time if they have any concerns about anything."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his office raised Mr Zumbo's employment with Mr Kelly after media enquiries about the staff member appearing in court.
"It has long been my view that Mr Zumbo shouldn't be employed in the member for Hughes office," Mr Morrison told parliament.
"He has known that. That has gone on over a very long period of time."
The refusal to sack Mr Zumbo appears to show another defiance of the prime minister's authority from the backbencher.
Mr Kelly has vowed to restart his campaign pushing unproven coronavirus treatments that contradict government health advice.
The prolific social media poster became an independent after acknowledging his prolific promotion of two unapproved drugs was a drag on the government.
His resignation came just weeks after Mr Kelly assured Mr Morrison he would support the vaccine roll-out and limit his medical commentary.
The outer-suburban Sydney MP has also ruled out switching to the Nationals despite being courted by back benchers Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan.
Nationals leader Michael McCormack doused speculation he could have a new member of his party.
"Craig Kelly has indicated that he is going to be not coming to the Nats, that he is going to be sitting on the cross bench," he told reporters in Canberra.
Queenslander Matt Canavan said Mr Kelly was a "good bloke" but the ball was in his court.
"If there's a way of getting him back into the tent - even if that's with a different party, in the National Party in the coalition - that would be better for all of us," the Nationals senator told the ABC.
Mr Kelly threatened to quit the Liberals ahead of the 2019 election when he faced a challenge to his seat from within the NSW branch but was saved by Mr Morrison.
Australian Associated Press
