Former prime minister Julia Gillard, who drew international attention when she condemned sexism and harassment against her during her time as the nation's leader, says it is time for politicians to be placed under a code of conduct.
Ms Gillard has urged for parliament to support the findings of an investigation by the sex discrimination commissioner into the parliamentary workplace, launched after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins came forward with her allegation of rape.
Commissioner Kate Jenkins took submissions from people working in Parliament House, government agencies, departments or electorate offices, finding one-third had experienced some form of sexual harassment while at work.
Julia Gillard, who faced sexism and abuse from politicians, the media and the public during her time as prime minister, said parliament could no longer carry on as it once did.
"It's time to change our federal parliament forever," Ms Gillard said.
"We need a code of conduct and an effective way of receiving and acting on complaints. The Jenkins review gives us this."
Ms Gillard's backing of a code of conduct highlights just one of the recommendations made by Ms Jenkins to make parliament a safer place for workers.
So what else did the review recommend? And what's been the reaction?
A review triggered by a devastating allegation
Ms Jenkins's investigation into the parliamentary workplace began after Ms Higgins went public with an allegation she was raped by her colleague at Parliament House.
Ms Jenkins thanked Ms Higgins for being the catalyst behind the review, and for her courage in sharing her story.
"The impact of her bravery is immeasurable," she said.
The seven-month-long inquiry ordered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison was wide ranging, with more than 1,700 people taking part in one form or another.
Almost 500 people were interviewed, and there were hundreds of written submissions.
It covered all types of people who work at Parliament House, government agencies, departments and electorate offices; everyone from staffers, cleaners and caterers to Australian Federal Police officers.
Workers detail accounts of harassment by politicians
The findings were alarming, and the report contained a number of anonymous accounts of sexual harassment and bullying within parliamentary offices.
Of the people currently working in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, 37 per cent have experienced some form of bullying while working there.
One person interviewed was quoted as saying: "Frequently, like at least every week, the advice was go and cry in the toilet so that nobody can see you, because that's what it's like up here."
The inquiry also found one in three people have also experienced some form of sexual harassment while working there.
"Aspiring male politicians who thought nothing of, in one case, picking you up, kissing you on the lips, lifting you up, touching you, pats on the bottom, comments about appearance, you know, the usual ... the culture allowed it," one person interviewed said.
Over half of all people have experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault in a commonwealth parliamentary workplace.
Unsurprisingly, the review indicated people who bullied or sexually harassed people in those workplaces were predominantly in a more powerful position than the person experiencing the behaviour.
Harassment led to suicide attempts, marriage breakdowns
The review also looked at the colossal impact of this conduct, with participants noting their experiences had impacted their mental and physical health, confidence, and future career prospects.
One person told the inquiry about the impact on people they knew:
"One tried to commit suicide, another admitted themselves into a mental facility. I know three women ... that are still seeing psychologists. One had a marriage breakdown, and one has completely dislocated with her children as a result of the direct influence of that Member of Parliament."
Others said they felt like their only options were to tolerate the misconduct or leave, rather than expecting that the misconduct could be addressed.
Kate Jenkins said the misuse of power was one of the primary drivers of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
"To some degree, I was shocked at how young workers, who perhaps arrive really positive and enthusiastic and feeling privileged to work there, how quickly they become in an environment where bullying and harassment is normalised," Ms Jenkins said.
Code of conduct, targets for more diversity recommended
There are 28 recommendations in the report to address the serious issues it uncovered.
These include a code of conduct for MPs and staff, to be enforced by a new Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
It also calls for bigger structural changes, recommending targets to get more women into parliament, and increase the representation of First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse Australians and LGBTIQ+ people.
Ms Jenkins called on the government to implement all of the recommendations, rather than pick and choose.
"The recommendations are a package, they are mutually reinforcing and complementary and therefore should not be cherry-picked for implementation."
Morrison says findings 'disturbing', as politicians, advocates react
Ms Higgins, the woman who sparked the inquiry — and a broader movement — joined Ms Jenkins and Ms Gillard in calling for all sides of politics to implement the recommendations in full.
"I want to thank the many brave people who shared their stories which contributed to this review," she said.
Independent MP Helen Haines also backed those calls, saying the report's focus on culture and leadership, as well as structural and systemic changes, was crucial.
"The statistics and personal experiences in this report are shocking, but unfortunately for many in the building they won't be surprised to read these things, they know them to be true," Dr Haines said.
Australian of the Year Grace Tame said the review had revealed parliament's "ecosystem of abuse".
"Until every recommendation has been implemented and real changes follows, sadly all this will amount to is another theatrical announcement," Ms Tame tweeted.
Federal Labor seized on the findings, with the Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese using Question Time to ask Prime Minister Scott Morrison whether he agreed "everyone working in this building, including staff, deserve a safer workplace".
"Yes Mr Speaker, of course we do," Mr Morrison replied.
At a press conference minutes after the report was made public, Mr Morrison said a stressful workplace was no excuse for bad behaviour.
"Like anyone who works in this building, I find the statistics that are presented, they're of course, appalling and disturbing," he said.
"I wish I found them more surprising. But I find them just as appalling. And that's why the actions I think that are recommended do cover all the territory that enable us to take us forward.
Minister for Women Marise Payne said the report made it clear there was more work to do.
"It's deeply disappointing that if anyone arrives here inspired, only to become, only to become disillusioned because of the treatment they experience by others," Senator Payne said.
Jenkins says 'change is going to happen', but what happens next?
The government will now consider its response to the review, and as part of that, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham and Special Minister of State Ben Morton will begin consulting with the opposition, minor parties and crossbenchers.
Mr Morrison has already instructed his department to provide every necessary resource and support needed to do that.
And in the interim, the government will continue existing supports that have been set up, such as an independent complaints mechanism, 24-hour support line and workplace safety training.
"These important supports will keep running and adapt as necessary as parliament responds to these recommendations," Mr Morrison said.
Ms Jenkins is confident that ultimately, the result will be positive.
"I'm actually confident there will be change, not simply because we've delivered a really useful, practical and evidence-based report, but also because the broader Australian community including other workplaces absolutely expect more," she said.
"There is a huge momentum for change across the board and there's no question, you know, the report is called 'set the standard', that we have made recommendations that say you should actually be meeting the standards you set for other workplaces.
"For all of those reasons, I think this is the moment where change is going to happen."
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2021-11-30 07:28:29Z
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