Greens MP Ellen Sandell calls out sexist culture in Victoria‘s parliament

A Greens MP subject to “blokey jibes” and “insulting jokes” from Premier Daniel Andrews and a senior minister has called out their sexist behaviour.

A Greens MP has called out toxic “boys’ club” behaviour inside parliament after she fell victim to “blokey jibes and insulting jokes” from the Premier and a senior Minister during Question Time.

Melbourne MP Ellen Sandell said she was on the receiving end of insults from Daniel Andrews and Planning Minister Richard Wynne when she attempted to ask a question about new housing developments being forced to install gas.

Ms Sandell questioned if the minister would change current planning laws to ensure new homes weren’t required to connect to gas.

Melbourne Greens MP Ellen Sandell has called out the government’s toxic ‘boys club’ culture. Picture: Mark Stewart

But instead Ms Sandell said she felt ridiculed, and said it was “just one small example” of what she “often” experiences in Victorian parliament.

“There’s been a lot of talk lately about how women are treated in politics. I think all MPs, no matter your political stripes, should be treated with respect — especially in the workplace,” she wrote on social media.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the time this still doesn’t happen, and the culture in our parliaments still rewards bullying, disrespectful, boys club behaviour. Women still seem to bear the brunt of this poor behaviour more than men.”

Former Greens leader Greg Barber and Ellen Sandell. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Ms Sandell said the footage from inside the Lower House this week didn’t show the “full extent of Premier Andrews and Minister Wynne sharing blokey jibes and insulting jokes with each other during the question”.

“It’s an MP’s role to bring serious issues to the parliament in a respectful way, and our constituents expect us to do this without fear or favour,” she added.

“Constituents also expect that our questions will be answered. To be faced with this kind of treatment and belittling when we do raise serious issues is really poor.

“It’s time we seriously looked at how women are treated in public life, and beyond time that we hold politicians to a better standard.”