Another step in a long campaign for equality

A combination of events has propelled the rights of women to safety at work and out in public to the top of the agenda, with uncertain consequences for both sides of politics. The fact that thousands of women and men attended protest demonstrations at Parliament House and in capital cities and regional centres on Monday makes it clear this is an issue with deep emotional and political traction. These concerns will not be dealt with simply by acknowledging legal frameworks for workplace behaviour, anti-discrimination and sexual relations already exist. It is true there are genuine cases of predatory behaviour against women both in the workplace and in public that must be constantly addressed. It is equally true that, as with Black Lives Matter, climate change and other popular causes, there are forces willing to exploit the issue to prosecute a broader political and social agenda.

The worrying sign is that many people now calling for redress are quite prepared to bypass the foundation principles of justice, including the presumption of innocence and right to a fair trial, and thereby compromise the rule of law. The fallout from allegations of rape made by former staffer Brittany Higgins against a co-worker in Parliament House and claims made against Attorney-General Christian Porter from when he was a teenager are just the beginning. Protesters are not only complaining about how Ms Higgins was treated when her allegations were made, or even how the rape allegations against Mr Porter have been dealt with. They are also saying the cases are symptomatic of how all women are treated in the workplace when they are not heard and when the system seeks to suppress complaints or not deal with them seriously. Hence the slogan, Enough.

Newspoll results taken when the Higgins and Porter allegations were high in the public mind show support for the Morrison government falling sharply despite the Prime Minister’s approval remaining high. On primary votes, the Coalition and Labor are on 39 per cent each. On a two-party-preferred measure, Labor has moved to an election-winning lead of 52-48 per cent, a four-point turnaround. But the fallout for Labor may be just beginning. A list of grievances is circulating that details allegations against ALP members. Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese has encouraged complainants to come forward, just as Scott Morrison supported the rights of demonstrators to make their voices heard.

Mr Porter has launched defamation proceedings against the ABC for publishing accusations against him, which Chris Merritt says will help restore the rule of law and provide a dose of reality for the lynch mob in parts of the media. For Parliament House, Janet Albrechtsen argues on Tuesday that Mr Morrison should take the initiative and reform working conditions in Canberra by reducing working hours, banning alcohol and introducing drug and alcohol testing for workers, including MPs and staff. Ms Higgins, the woman at the centre of rape allegations in the office of then defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, told Monday’s protests she had come forward in the hope of protecting other women. “I don’t believe people should be isolated, intimidated and ignored after traumatic incidents inside the workplace,” she said. The forces unleashed go beyond Ms Higgins’ personal experience, which already is the subject of workplace investigations.

For many, public airing of allegations of sexual abuses in the workplace continues a reformation of workplace culture that began only last century. Former federal sex discrimination commissioner Pru Goward gave context to the workplace transformation in her speech to commemorate International Women’s Day in 2002. She said the 1907 Harvester Judgment, which established a living wage, made clear the mark of a prosperous nation like Australia was that it could afford to keep its women at home. Disparity in pay between men and women was justified on the basis that the basic wage was one that allowed a man to support himself, his wife and three children. World War II saw women enter the workforce in large numbers. After the war, rather than being locked out of work, women began to invest in their careers by identifying themselves with their work, and by investing time and money in training and education.

Reforms now taken for granted did not appear until relatively recently. From 1966, women were no longer forced to relinquish paid work when they got married. Equal pay was granted by the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission in 1972. The first Reclaim the Night marches held to protest violence and sexual assault against women took place in 1978.

The right to safety at work and in public is a legitimate community expectation and, as Caroline Overington wrote on Monday, an issue for men as well as women. Ultimately, it is a matter of public education, personal responsibility, good example and making sure the rule of law is fairly applied.

This includes giving Mr Porter the right to a fair hearing in court against the ABC for defamation, and by supporting those who need help by building a community culture in which complaints are heard and systems are in place to get to the truth and offer protection.