Police receive 40 sexual misconduct complaints for parliament staff

Police have received 40 complaints of sexual misconduct involving MPs or political staff since Brittany Higgins publicly alleged she was raped in parliament.

Police have received 40 complaints of sexual misconduct involving federal MPs or political staff since Brittany Higgins publicly alleged she was raped in parliament.

Reports of harassment and abuse have flooded in since a 1800 hotline offering support for people who work in parliament was established only two months ago.

Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw has told a Senate estimates hearing police received 40 reports relating to 19 separate sexual misconduct allegations involving federal MPs and their staff after Ms Higgins went public with her own allegation.

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw has revealed police received 40 complaints after a hotline for victims to receive support was established in February. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Kershaw said 12 of the reports had been identified as “sensitive” investigations.

“Ten matters have been referred to state and territory police for assessment, one matter is still with the AFP for ongoing inquiries, one matter has been finalised,” he said.

“Seven matters do not relate to electorate offices, ministerial staff or official establishments, five matters were referred to state and territory police for assessment, and two were finalised without referrals as no criminal offence was identified.”

According to the AFP national guidelines, an investigation is deemed “sensitive” if it is of “significant interest” and “likely to experience extended media coverage and/or ongoing public or political discourse impacting political or public policy”.

It is recommended the Home Affairs Minister, who is currently Karen Andrews, be informed of any sensitive cases under a “no surprises” principle.

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleges she was raped in parliament in 2019.

Mr Kershaw also told Senate estimates a brief of evidence from an investigation into Ms Higgins’ alleged sexual assault is “likely” to go to the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions “within weeks”.

Ms Higgins alleges she was raped on a couch in then-Defence Industry Minister Linda Reynolds’ Parliament House office in March 2019 after a night out with colleagues.

Meanwhile a face-to-face education program to help staff and MPs in parliament recognise and respond appropriately to “serious incidents” or “patterns of behaviour” and an independent, confidential complaints system must be put in place according to one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s top advisers.

Deputy Secretary Stephanie Foster has recommended an independent complaints system for victims be established. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet deputy secretary Stephanie Foster has handed down her final report to Mr Morrison after he tasked her with evaluating the procedures and processes for handling serious incidents, such as sexual assault in the parliamentary workplace.

Ms Foster was asked to consider how sexual assaults were currently identified and reported, and to recommended how victims can be better supported.

Mr Morrison said in a statement the report “made a number of significant findings that address gaps in existing procedures and processes when it comes to responding to serious incidents, providing support for those impacted by them, and of a preventive nature”.

“I intend to take this report to Cabinet and respond to the recommendations on behalf of the Government,” he said.

“Following this, I will seek to engage with all parties and parliamentarians to implement the response.”

The report has not been made public.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will take a new report on the ‘gaps’ in support for harassment and assault victims in parliament to Cabinet. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

It has also been revealed an inquiry by the PM’s department into who in his office knew what and when over the alleged rape of Ms Higgins may also be kept secret.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens said the release of the report, which has not yet been finalised, would be up to Mr Morrison

“It will finish as soon as possible,’’ he said.

“I would certainly expect it to be weeks, not days and certainly not months.

“Whether that report is made public is not up to me it’s up to the PM.”

Labor Senator Katy Gallagher also grilled department officials about the progress of an ongoing investigation into allegations members of Mr Morrison’s office “backgrounded” against Ms Higgins’ loved ones earlier this year.

Ms Gallagher used parliamentary privilege to name three staffers she claimed Ms Higgins’ believed were responsible for telling journalists negative things about her partner.

But in a report tabled to parliament by Mr Morrison on Tuesday afternoon, his chief of staff Dr John Kunkle said he had not found evidence of backgrounding, however insisted he did not “deny the believes of Ms Higgins” it had occurred.

“I do not make a finding that negative briefing ... of the sort alleged has taken place,” he said.

“In the context of my inquiry, such a finding would be based upon hearsay.”