Ministers unite against harassment after shocking stories shared
Annastacia Palaszczuk commended all people who bravely spoke out about sexual harassment after Yvette D’Ath inspired a chorus of ministers and backbenchers to share their stories.
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An emotional Health Minister said she was “overwhelmed” that her colleagues stood with her to speak out about sexual harassment and assault, as the Premier encouraged women to turn their lone voices into a “roar”.
Annastacia Palaszczuk commended all people who bravely spoke out about sexual harassment after Yvette D’Ath inspired a chorus of ministers and backbenchers to share their own personal stories in the hope of inspiring change.
Days after tens of thousands of March 4 Justice protesters mobilised across Australia, Ms Palaszczuk said the stories being shared showed sexual assault and abuse were “real issues” happening in all workplaces.
“I’ve often said that one voice can be small but together we can be a roar,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“These are real issues that happen across different workplaces, in fact all workplaces, and women need to make sure that they have the right support around them.
“It’s good to see that people are speaking up, they’re very brave.”
Ms D’Ath said she had been floored to see the stories of her colleagues in The Courier-Mail after their decision to follow her lead and share stories that included being groped as a minister, inappropriately hugged as a child by a stranger in a shopping centre, and being violated at a Schoolies dance party.
“I was overwhelmed by my colleagues this morning, I did not know their stories until I looked at the paper,” she said.
“My immediate response is, I am not alone.”
Treasurer Cameron Dick applauded the courage of his colleagues, while Deputy Premier Steven Miles admitted he found their stories upsetting.
Mr Miles said the last few weeks had been challenging for the community.
“It’s hard enough to hear about the experiences of your friends – to read about them on the front page of the paper, I found very upsetting,” he said.
“I think the message from those brave women, my colleagues, is that this has to stop.
“The way that we change behaviour and culture has to start with leadership and it has to start at the top.
“To be faced with disturbing experiences from Canberra, from our federal parliament, that’s where this needs to start.”
He called on the Federal Government to act on recommendations made by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Liberal and Labor female staffers warned Canberra’s political leaders no one would come forward to an independent review of workplace culture in Parliament House without stricter privacy protections.
An open letter signed by 30 women, including Brittany Higgins, and backed by Lucy Turnbull and Therese Rein have raised concerns even redacted documents detailing sexual assault claims could identify victims if released through RTI and the Archives Act.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins is leading the review through which current and former staffers have been encouraged to disclose details of sexual harassment, assault or bullying.
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