‘Toxic’: New code of conduct for Federal Parliament

Politicians could be suspended or even dismissed for bad behaviour inside Parliament under a bold plan outlined today.

Newly elected independent MPs are pushing for a code of conduct to deal with the “toxic” culture inside Parliament House.

North Sydney MP Kylea Tink says the binding code should cover bullying and sexual harassment and apply to everyone working in Parliament.

It could lead to suspension or even dismissal for bad behaviour.

Ms Tink said there were very few work environments in Australia where people did not sign a code of conduct when they started a new job, clearly laying down the expectations of them.

“I must confess when I found out there wasn’t one for parliamentary staff or members of parliament I was quite shocked,” she told ABC Radio on Monday.

“I just think that as the highest office in the land, surely at that level the expectations on behaviour should be exemplary, not just kind of left to a free flow.”

Kylea Tink is behind the push for a code of conduct. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

The code would include punishments from suspension through to dismissal.

“Ultimately there’s no point having something that doesn’t have consequences attached to it,” she said.

“The primary aim of it, though, will be aspirational.

“So if we let people know what it is we expect of them and ask them to work towards achieving those goals, most people rise to that, rather than work around it.”

Ms Tink said ideally the code would apply to every person who worked in the building.

“It’s things like respect for others and respect for the work you are doing,” she said.

“Accountability to others and to your community. Responsibility, so making sure we’re very clear on what our responsibility is in being in that building and what roles we play.”

Ms Tink said it was important to set a standard of behaviour that held everyone to account.

She said it would make sense for an independent parliamentary standards body to enforce the new rules.

The North Sydney MP also agreed on the importance of better educating people on acceptable standards of behaviour, saying the culture inside Parliament had not kept up with the rest of the country.

“The reality is just a code in itself isn’t going to fix an environment that is fundamentally toxic,” Ms Tink said.

“I guess as someone coming into this environment I am incredibly aware, or very keenly aware, that culture change is one of the hardest things to bring about in any organisation.”

However, Ms Tink said the influx of “teal” independents could help bring about the change.

The written code of conduct was recommended by Kate Jenkins’ review into Parliament’s toxic workplace culture.