Historic move to stamp out sexual harassment in South Australian state parliament

Top officials are demanding urgent action to stop sexual harassment in state parliament after a landmark report uncovered serious allegations involving MPs and staff.

Urgent action is being demanded to stamp out sexual harassment in state parliament after top officials tire of inaction, years after a scathing report uncovered serious allegations of indecent exposure, physical assault and sexually suggestive comments from MPs and staff.

In a historic move, Speaker Dan Cregan and Legislative Council President Terry Stephens have directed the “urgent completion” of work to give “full and complete effect” to recommendations of the 2021 report that concluded “ “sexual and discriminatory harassment is prevalent in the parliamentary workplace”.

The investigation, which was conducted by former acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner “ (EOC) Emily Strickland, in March, 2021, made 16 recommendations to combat bad behaviour within the corridors of Parliament House, and in ministerial and MPs’ electorate offices.

Speaker Dan Cregan Picture: Russell Millard

The inquiry heard of once instance of a male exposing himself in front of co-workers. It also revealed that complaints made against MPs were handled poorly and victims were often left to develop their own “protective strategies”.

Almost three years later, Mr Cregan and Mr Stephens have recommended and directed the appointment of an Executive Officer of the parliament of South Australia to oversee substantial and urgent changes.

In a letter to clerks of parliament’s upper and lower houses, the duo demand all policies and procedures now being considered as a response to the 2021 report be “released and implemented without delay, and by no later than March 31, 2024”.

The executive officer’s role – a historic change to parliament’s internal hierarchy – would include “the completion of the vital program of work now underway, giving full and complete effect to the recommendations of the EOC Report, so far as they relate to the parliament”.

This role also would include “the adoption of workplace processes and practices consistent with the wider public sector” – a move designed to haul parliament into line with modern workplace practices.

Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri. Picture:Supplied

Mr Cregan and Mr Stephens also recommend Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri play a key role, by recommending any changes she deems necessary and conducting “a thorough and complete review” at the end of 2024 of the implementation of the EOC report’s recommendations.

It is understood the Speaker and President are supportive of her advice, thus far, and believe she supports their direction for a parliamentary executive officer.

It is understood Mr Cregan and Mr Stephens also will write to Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader David Speirs, informing them of their move and proposing modest changes to the legislation underpinning state parliamentary operations and suggesting these be considered in early 2024.