An investigation has been launched into claims of dysfunction and bullying at the National Mental Health Commission.

A report published in The Saturday Paper on the weekend set out a series of allegations relating to the commission, which was set up just over a decade ago to provide policy advice to the government on mental health.

The newspaper alleged “a culture of dysfunction, alleged bullying and psychological harm at the agency”, which ranked 99th out of 101 public service agencies in terms of staff wellbeing, according to an official report to the Federal Government cited by the newspaper.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said on Monday he had initiated an independent investigation into the claims and the commission’s CEO Christine Morgan had voluntarily stepped aside.