PM accepts all recommendations from parliamentary culture review

Coalition ministers and their staff will have to undertake mandatory face-to-face training to prevent serious incidents of sexual misconduct in parliament.

Coalition ministers and their staff will have to undertake mandatory face-to-face training to prevent serious incidents of sexual misconduct in parliament and to “provide them with the tools to promote safe and respectful workplaces and to respond appropriately to instances of unacceptable behaviour.”

That just one outcome of the review into parliamentary working culture initiated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the wake of rape allegations levelled by a parliamentary staffer, Brittany Higgins, which came to light earlier this year.

The training, which is expected to eventually be offered to all MPs and staff, is just one of a set of ten recommendations accepted in full by the prime minister made in a report by Stephanie Foster designed to stamp out “serious incidents” such as sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and intimidation.

Brittany Higgins pictured speaking to media after a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Among the other recommendations include the establishment of new support services for victims, an independent complaints mechanism, culture change programs, and monitoring of after-hours visits to Parliament House by staffers to discourage non-work related visits.

“Parliamentarians are answerable to their constituents and therefore the Government agrees with Ms Foster’s recommendation that a public register would instil confidence that Parliamentarians were undertaking the necessary actions,” said Mr Morrison in a statement.

“The Government will work with the opposition, minor parties and independents to develop a public register of Parliamentarians who have undertaken the training.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accepted the recommendations in full. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“Ms Foster’s recommendations provide for implementation of important reforms ahead of the receipt of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Jenkins’ independent review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces later this year.”

Responding to the news that all ten recommendations in the Foster Report would be taken up, Ms Higgins said: “I am so pleased to hear that all 10 recommendations of the Foster Review will be implemented.

“These reforms, most notably the independent complaints mechanism, will ensure Parliament House is a safer workplace for all future employees.”

Originally published as PM accepts all recommendations from parliamentary culture review