This was published 3 years ago
Kate Jenkins to lead investigation of Parliament workplace culture
By Katina Curtis
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins will lead an investigation into the workplace culture at Parliament House and responses to sexual harassment and assault.
Special Minister of State Simon Birmingham said on Friday the inquiry would examine how to change the culture and practices and ensure Parliament had the best possible environment for the prevention of, and response to, incidents. The review will give an update in July and a final report in November, which will be made public.
The inquiry was prompted after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public last month with an allegation she was raped by a colleague in a minister’s office in March 2019.
She has now brought a formal complaint to police and wants to see lasting change to the culture of Parliament and workplace protections afforded to staffers.
Ms Jenkins will hear from current and former staff, elected representatives and others who worked in Parliament.
Senator Birmingham said the nine-month timeframe should be long enough for “a thorough and comprehensive piece of work” while recognising the need to act quickly.
Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins will hear from current and former staff, elected representatives and others who worked in Parliament during the review.Credit: Paul Jeffers
“It is so important to get this work done and to get it done properly,” he said.
“It’s important for the victims of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault. It’s important for their loved ones. It is also important for the many innocent bystanders who have found themselves in workplaces or environments that are under question or under a cloud at present.”
The Jenkins review is one of three under way: senior public servant Stephanie Foster is examining how to build a new structure to handle complaints, and Scott Morrison’s department chief, Phil Gaetjens, has been asked to examine what the Prime Minister’s office knew of the incident.
Liberal MP Celia Hammond had been asked to investigate the culture within Coalition parliamentary offices but that work will now be rolled into the Jenkins review.
Ms Jenkins wrote a landmark report on workplace sexual harassment, Respect@Work, that made 55 recommendations. The government has been sitting on the report since it was released exactly a year ago.
National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line: 1800 737 732. Crisis support can be found at Lifeline: (13 11 14 and lifeline.org.au), the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467 and suicidecallbackservice.org.au) and beyondblue (1300 22 4636 and beyondblue.org.au).