Brittany Higgins leaves apology to women of Parliament House in tears

Brittany Higgins left the public gallery in tears after Scott Morrison apologised for parliament’s toxic culture of harassment and abuse.

Brittany Higgins was in the public gallery today as Scott Morrison apologised for parliament’s toxic culture of harassment and abuse.

Ms Higgins left the chamber in tears after listening to the speech.

Former Australian of the Year Grace Tame slammed the Prime Minister for his apology, labelling the speech a “stunt”.

The Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce issued a statement of acknowledgement to victims of sexual harassment and bullying in Parliament House on Tuesday.

How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?

— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) February 8, 2022

Ms Higgins was among the six women who were present in the gallery, and received a special mention from both Mr Morrison and Mr Albanese for her bravery in coming forward to share her story.

Her close friend Ms Tame was not present but took to Twitter, saying: “How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?”

Minister for Women Marise Payne said Ms Tame’s comments were a “matter for her”.

“She has given service over the last year as Australian of the year to amplify the voices of sexual assault survivors,” she told 4BC.

“She’s educated, frankly, many Australians on how we can better prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

“I don’t think there is much to be gained by me commenting on her individual comments.

“What I would say is we have worked with many victim survivors, including Ms Tame.”

Earlier, Ms Higgins left the chamber in tears, briefly comforted by fellow former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller who soon after returned to the gallery.

Ms Higgins did not return, but was mentioned by name in the acknowledgements by Mr Morrison, Mr Albanese, Greens MP Adam Bandt and Independent MP Zali Steggall.

Ms Miller - who made a complaint against minister Alan Tudge, which is still in progress - responded to the apology in an interview with the ABC.

“I felt vindicated that there was an apology made,” she said.

“It felt like finally, what I’ve been saying all along that this culture is an acceptable, was being recognised and acknowledged, but it is only the first step.

“I thought the Prime Minister’s words were genuine but again, it’s just words and we really need now to see action but I am very encouraged by the task force that has been set up.”

Brittany Higgins watches on as the House of Representatives acknowledges bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in Federal Parliament #[e-mail]/w3ZXW26zQW

— Matthew Doran (@MattDoran91) February 8, 2022

PM’s apology

Just after midday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison rose to deliver a formal apology to the alleged victims of sexual harassment, assault and bullying in parliament.

“I rise to recognise all of those who are why we are here today making this acknowledgment. I particularly want to acknowledge Ms Brittany Higgins, whose experience, and more importantly courage, is the reason we are all here today. And I want to thank her for that,” Mr Morrison said.

“I also want to recognise all of those who have contributed to the Jenkins review. Some 1700 individuals contributed.

“This review speaks of a long-standing culture, generations of culture in this place and in the building before it, of bullying and harassment. A power imbalance, over that time, that has been exploited. And that exploitation, abuse and harassment has played itself out through terrible, traumatic and harrowing experiences.”

Mr Morrison said members of parliament understood “the power of an apology” to “bring healing and bring change”, alluding to former prime minister Kevin Rudd’s apology to Indigenous Australians.

“I am proud that this is a chamber in which we have done this on so many occasions,” the Prime Minister said.

“I am sorry. We are sorry. I am sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here. And the place that should have been a place for safety and contribution, turned out to be a nightmare.

“I am sorry for far more than that. All of those who came before Ms Higgins.

“We are sorry for all of these things, and in doing so, each of us take an accountability for change. For those of us who have perpetuated the bullying and violence, the light will come to those behaviours. As it must.

“But it will follow and respect the rule of law in this country. It will proceed on the basis of fairness and justice. It will be done in the proper way. Justice should come, and it should always be delivered under the rule of law.”

He stressed that sorry was “only the start”, saying he was “determined that we deliver the outcomes of the Jenkins review”. He said parliament was “working together towards implementation” of the review’s 28 recommendations.

“That is our promise to those who are here today, and those watching across Australia,” Mr Morrison said.

“We are working to change this place for the better, together.

“I want this building to be a place where young Australians, and young women in particular, can follow their dreams and live out their beliefs and not have them crushed by brutality and the misuse of power. That’s what I’m dedicated to.

“This work will take many years. It will be ongoing. But we must not backslide. We owe it to all of those who work in this building. We owe it to all of those who strive to work in this building in the future. We owe it to the Australian people, who we all have the good grace and a great privilege to serve.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce made an official apology to victims of sexual harassment, bullying and violence in the building, in the House of Representatives in Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gary Ramage

Before Mr Morrison spoke, Speaker of the House Andrew Wallace delivered a formal statement to the same effect.

“We acknowledge the unacceptable history of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces,” Mr Wallace said.

“This issue is of the greatest importance, and the responsibility of all people who work in this place.

“We say sorry.

“Every workplace should be safe and respectful. This place and its members are committed to bringing about lasting and meaningful change to both culture and practise. We have failed to provide this in the past.

“We will aspire, as we should, to set an example for our nation.”

The statement acknowledged and thanked those who came forward to share their experiences, as well as those who did not wish to come forward.

“Your experiences have had profound impacts on your lives. We have heard you and accept your calls for change,” said the Speaker.

“For far too many, it has not been safe or respectful.

“Cultural change has to come from the top. It has to be role modelled and championed by all of us.”

Brittany Higgins not alone in the public gallery - Rachelle Miller also there. Understood Josie Coles and Chelsey Potter are also watching (masks make it super hard to be 100 per cent certain) #auspolpic.twitter.com/2DVNQkDPcx

— Matthew Doran (@MattDoran91) February 8, 2022

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese paid tribute to the courage of Ms Higgins.

“You have torn through a silence that has acted as the life-support system for the most odious of status quos,” he said.

“I say to everyone who took part (in the Jenkins Review), that took a level of courage that you should never have needed to show. But you did.

“And we thank you for it.

“We also acknowledge everyone who has experienced misconduct but could not take part. Indeed, there are many people who are not ready to speak and perhaps never will be.

“But I hope you can take some heart from knowing that this very institution that failed you, is at last acknowledging your hurt.”

Mr Joyce followed with a brief acknowledgement, before Mr Bandt and Ms Steggall spoke.

Originally published as Brittany Higgins leaves apology to women of Parliament House in tears