Ex-Parliament House researcher Anna Hough accuses Albanese Government of silencing her on historic rape allegation

A former Parliament House researcher has accused the Albanese Government of hypocrisy after she disclosed historic sexual assault allegations and was ‘silenced’.

A former Parliament House researcher has accused the Albanese government of hypocrisy after she disclosed historic sexual assault allegations and was asked to sign confidentiality agreements during compensation talks.

Anna Hough, a 46-year-old mother of three who worked in the Parliamentary Library in Canberra, has gone public with her “fight” for justice after nearly two years of pursuing a legal claim against the Commonwealth, Sky News’ Sharri Markson has reported.

Ms Hough has alleged she was sexually assaulted and raped by a political staffer between 2000 and 2001 while working as a young volunteer for the Australian Democrats.

She said her trauma resurfaced in 2021 during the national reckoning sparked by Brittany Higgins’ high-profile disclosure.

This prompted Ms Hough to disclose her allegations to her managers in the Department of Parliamentary Services, where she had worked since 2016.

But instead of support, Ms Hough claimed she was sidelined from promotions, pressured to step down from a senior acting role, and denied leave.

In September 2023, Ms Hough filed a legal claim with the Commonwealth raising allegations of both historic assault and workplace bullying and discrimination.

Public servant Anna Hough disclosed alleged historic sexual assaults from April 2000 to May 2001. Picture: Supplied

Since then, she said she was twice offered low financial settlements in mid-2024 by the Australian Government Solicitor, with each contingent on strict confidentiality clauses, despite public assurances from Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus that such practices would not be used against survivors.

“I’ve been silenced for too long,” Ms Hough said.

“Given the ALP’s response to an alleged Parliament House rape cover-up last election, the hypocrisy on display in their treatment of me, particularly in trying to silence me, is quite something.”

Mr Dreyfus has repeatedly stated confidentiality clauses are only used at the request of survivors.

But Ms Hough said it was only when her lawyers pushed back, with media pressure about the use of NDAs and questions by Greens Senator Larissa Waters in Senate Estimates in November 2024, that the confidentiality requirement was dropped.

Sky News asked Mr Dreyfus why the Australian Government Solicitor had failed to comply with his direction on confidentiality provisions, and whether he was disappointed that an alleged sexual assault victim was twice asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.

He did not respond but a spokesman for his department said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on any ongoing legal matter.”

The spokesman also said there had been “no instance” since June 2022 where the Attorney-General or delegate had approved settlement terms in a workplace sexual harassment or sexual assault matter that were “inconsistent” with the guidelines around the use of confidentiality clauses.

A government spokesman also said the Australian General Solicitor in this case was acting on the instructions of Comcover, through the Department of Finance and the Department of Parliamentary Services.

“No minister has had any role in this matter,” he said.

Ms Hough said her goal in going public was transparency and fair treatment for all survivors, regardless of political profile or media attention.

“I do matter,” she said.

“Other victims matter. Equality before the law matters. And I refuse to be treated as a second-class victim for one day longer.”

Originally published as Ex-Parliament House researcher Anna Hough accuses Albanese Government of silencing her on historic rape allegation