Allegations of a bloody physical altercation between Northern Territory Senator Sam McMahon and her chief-of-staff Jason Riley are being investigated by the Country Liberal Party and Commonwealth Department of Finance.
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The department and CLP have both been handed a formal complaint detailing allegations of misconduct within Senator McMahon's office.
CLP president Ron Kelly said he was told about the allegations last weekend.
Senator McMahon denied any altercation had taken place earlier in the week but later appeared to backtrack.
It has been reported that WhatsApp messages sent from her phone alleging an incident had occurred are part of the investigations.
Michael McCormack, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Nationals - with whom the NT-based CLP is aligned - said the government took "all matters of workplace safety very seriously".
"No-one should feel unsafe in a workplace, violence of any kind is not tolerated," he said in a statement.
The statement said it was inappropriate to comment more during investigations by the CLP and Department of Finance, with the latter responsible for work health and safety policies and processes, parliamentary staff.
Senator Sam McMahon, a 52-year-old veterinarian and businesswoman, is the CLP's sole federal representative.
She won preselection to replace the retiring Nigel Scullion before last year's election.
Australian Associated Press
