The Canberra staffers who have embarrassed their bosses

Employment minister Michaelia Cash has found herself in a tricky position after one of her staffers tipped off the media about Australian Federal Police raids on the Australian Workers Union offices.

Senator Cash denied she or her office were responsible for the media leaks five separate times during a Senate estimates hearing yesterday.

But she was told during a dinner break that a senior staffer had leaked the information to the media, forcing an uncomfortable correction for Cash.

She has since been grilled at length by other senators this morning after the staffer offered his resignation.

"In relation to this particular staff member, it is actually very brave of him to also come forward and to admit his mistake and lose his employment as a result of what he did," Cash said.

"Unlike many others who lie every single day of the week, I will not get into that now but this staff member came forward and admitted to me he had misled me."

Labor is now pressing for Cash to quit.

But today's debacle is far from the first time a ministerial staffer has landed a politician in an awkward situation.

Blackface blunder

Earlier this week a long-time staffer of Opposition Leader Bill Shorten resigned after a decade-old photo of him wearing a racially insensitive costume emerged.

Steven Michelson was pictured in blackface wearing a curly afro wig at a fancy dress party.

He resigned abruptly after the photo was sent out to the media.

"After almost six incredible years I've decided to hang up my staffer boots to spend more time with my family," Mr Michelson said.

Mr Michelson had been tipped as a future candidate for Labor but the taboo photo looks likely to dampen such speculation.

Tuck Frump

An executive assistant in the Prime Minister's office was suspended in February for a Facebook post featuring a profane spoonerism.

Yvette Kerr posted a cover photo showing a T-shirt reading "Tuck Frump".

The image emerged at the worst possible time for Malcolm Turnbull, days after a fiery phone call with the then-brand new President of the United States.

Donald Trump hung up on the prime minister after an argument over the status of asylum seekers bound for the US from Nauru and Manus Island.

The refugee swap had been agreed to by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama.

The Budgie Nine

A staffer for Industry Minister Christopher Pyne was arrested in Malaysia last year for an embarrassing display at the Grand Prix.

Jack Walker and eight other mates stripped down to budgie smugglers emblazoned with the Malaysian flag after Daniel Riccardo won the Formula One race.

The group faced the possibility of jail time, but they were released after four nights in police station cells.

Mr Walker would later resign from Pyne's office.

Airport arrest

A staffer for then-Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull resigned after he was charged with an act of indecency at Canberra Airport.

Stephen Ellis quit in 2015 after being charged with indecency and possession of LSD and amphetamine.

Then-prime minister Tony Abbott declined to comment, saying it was a "personal matter".

Ellis pleaded guilty the next year and asked that a conviction be not be recorded against him.

The magistrate ordered he pay court costs of $73.