Bombshell review into workplace culture at Parliament House handed down

Shocking new evidence has laid bare the bullying and sexual harassment running rife through our nation’s Parliament.

A bombshell report has exposed the sickening levels of bullying and harassment happening in our nation’s Parliament.

One in three people employed in parliamentary workplaces have experienced some form of sexual harassment.

The inquiry, sparked by allegations former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was raped at Parliament House, has recommended a new code of conduct be enforced for politicians and their staff.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins was engaged to undertake the review in March. The inquiry received more than 1700 contributions, but only 16 of those were from former and current politicians.

Overall, the Australian Human Rights Commission review made 28 recommendations, including a crackdown on alcohol use in Parliament House, better leadership, the need for gender parity and a codes of conduct for staff and parliamentarians.

It also called for the parliament to acknowledge the harm done by the bullying, sexual harassment and assault in parliamentary workplaces.

“The statement should outline the institutional leadership commitment to change, with shared accountability for progress,” the review said.

The major workplace review was ordered after Ms Higgins went public with her allegations. Picture: Gary Ramage

“An acknowledgment of the impact of misconduct is important for validating the experience of individuals who have been subject to harm under the watch of leaders in CPWs.

“Further, an acknowledgment can start to restore the trust between individuals who have experienced misconduct and CPWs.

“It would be an important demonstration by leaders in these workplaces that they acknowledge the experiences, recent and past, and are committed to working together to ensure CPWs are safe and respectful.”

Mr Morrison said the government will work in good faith to implement the recommendations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

It’s understood Ms Jenkins briefed Ms Higgins on the report’s findings on Monday.

The review found over half of people currently working in a parliamentary workplace had experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault.

“The experiences of Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins, Chanel Contos and others, as well as a national conversation about consent, have also prompted renewed calls in the Australian context for an end to gendered violence,” the report noted.

Unveiling the review in Canberra on Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison labelled the findings as “appalling and distressing” and promised to act in “good faith” to the 28 recommendations.

“Like anyone who works in this building, I find the statistics that are presented there, of course appalling and disturbing. I wish I found them more surprising. But I find them just as appalling,” Mr Morrison told reporters on Tuesday.

The Jenkins’ review was launched after Ms Higgins come forward with her experience of sexual assault in Parliament House.

Ms Higgins alleged she was raped by a former colleague in the ministerial office of then-defence minister Linda Reynolds at Parliament House in March 2019. The man accused will stand trial in June. He has pleaded not guilty.

Ms Higgins’ story was the catalyst for Jenkins review. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In a statement, Ms Higgins said she hoped the report “inspired immediate action”.

“I want to thank the many brave people who shared their stories which contributed to this review. I hope all sides of politics not only commit to but implement these recommendations in full,” Ms Higgins said.

Speaking in Sydney, Ms Jenkins cautioned the government should not cherry pick the recommendations for implementation.

“The recommendations are a package they are mutually reinforcing and complimentary and therefore should not be cherry picked for implementation,” the sex discrimination commissioner told reporters.

“We are recommending that the implementation is phased to ensure that immediate priorities can be progressed while new structures and mechanisms are established.”

Ms Jenkins cautioned parliamentarians against cherry picking recommendations. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Joel Carrett

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard called on political parties to work with urgency in order to “change our federal parliament forever”.

“It’s time to change our federal parliament forever. We need a code of conduct and an effective way of receiving and acting on complaints. The Jenkins review gives us this,” Ms Gillard said.

“We need all political parties to work together with urgency and ambition and commit to deliver the bold reforms that are needed.”

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has been tasked by the Prime Minister to work bipartisanly to tackle the problems set out in the report.

“We all share in an ownership of the problems set out in this report, but we all share in implementing the solutions,” Mr Morrison said.

““This is just not a response of the Liberal Party, or the National Party or indeed the government. This is a joint project because we have a joint problem, when it comes to these issues of bullying and abuse and sexual harassment.

“We have been here a long time, we know that we all have a problem that we all have to own and we all have to deal with.”