Harassment ‘rife in parliament’

More than a quarter of employees within the SA parliament have been sexually harassed, a report has found.

South Australian Parliament during Question Time. Picture: Dean Martin

More than a quarter of employees within the South Australian parliament have been sexually harassed and one-third have ­endured offensive remarks about their appearance, a report into the SA legislature has found.

The report stands as an indictment on the parliament, ­especially as it proposes changes that are standard in almost every other modern workplace such as the creation of a central human resources department so ins­tances of sleaze or potential criminality can be investigated.

The report — called after former Liberal MP Sam Duluk was alleged to have slapped a female upper house MP on the bottom at a 2019 Christmas party — states plainly that sexual misconduct is rife on North Terrace, with some complainants saying they had even been victims of indecent ­exposure.

Of the eight survey respondents who said they had been sexually harassed, all were allegedly victims of harassment by MPs or MPs’ staff. It is not known what positions the victims hold and they may also be MPs or staff.

The report, by Acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner ­Emily Strickland, makes 16 recommendations to combat bad behaviour in the parliament and to give victims a path to redress.

“Sexual and discriminatory harassment is prevalent in the parliamentary workplace,” it states. “Allegations of harassment ranged in seriousness and included sexually suggestive and unwelcome comments, indecent exposure, and physical assault.”

Tabling the report on Tuesday, Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said she was disappointed by its findings and ­demanded change. She linked the findings to the reports of rape and sexual misconduct out of Canberra and said clearly there needed to be new measures in place to combat such behaviour.

“Allegations in recent weeks in Canberra have been profoundly disturbing,” Ms Chapman said. “Allegations of what has occurred in this parliament are distressing to many.

“While this review and the government’s response to the review cannot traverse these allegations, what we as a government and parliament can do is put in place measures to ensure the South Australian parliament is a safer workplace for everyone.”

Mr Duluk faces trial in June over one charge of assault against SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros arising from the 2019 Christmas party. He has yet to enter a plea.