LNP adopts landmark new ‘zero tolerance’ policy to tackle sexual misconduct amid national upheaval

The Queensland LNP has agreed to take a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual misconduct, putting in place the party’s first proper complaints and investigation process.

The Queensland LNP has agreed to take a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual misconduct, putting in place the party’s first proper complaints and investigation process.

The landmark change, now enshrined in the party’s constitution, comes amid a national upheaval to stamp out sexual harassment and other predatory behaviour in Parliament.

Under the new policy, an allegation of sexual misconduct would have to be handled by two “personal safety officers” — one man and one woman — tasked to provide the complainant with “support and advice” on options for “seeking justice”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses the LNP Queensland convention via video link last weekend. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The officers, to be selected by the LNP President, cannot be a member of the state executive and “must act at all times in the best interests of the complainant”.

They must also put in place measures to protect the confidentiality of all involved.

The historic reform is in stark contrast to the LNP’s previous policy, which they had adopted from the National Party, and involved giving the head of the party full discretion on how to act.

A young LNP woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by a fellow party member said the existing process had proven to be “not effective” and had led to “no consequences for the perpetrator”.

The woman said within days of making her complaint to the party’s president, the alleged perpetrators parents had been informed and her confidentiality compromised.

“We didn’t even know who we are supposed to speak to about it, who we are supposed to trust,” she said.

Senator Amanda Stoker

The change, put forward during the LNP’s convention on the weekend, is understood to have obtained “overwhelming” support. The changes will be put in place before October 31.

Assistant Women’s Minister and Queensland Senator Amanda Stoker said the change was an “important signal to women that their safety matters to the LNP”.

Female LNP sources said they were confident the policy would be implemented with vigour, noting a shift within the party toward an increase in female leaders within the executive including the election of two female vice-presidents in Amanda Cooper and Natalie Marr.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the government would adopt all 10 recommendations of an internal review aimed at cleaning up parliament’s workplace complaints procedure for serious incidents.

The measures to be put in place include a new independent complaints team to investigate allegation of sexual assault and harassment allegations involving MPs and parliamentary staffers dating back more than two years.