Jenkins report: Full reform unlikely before federal election

The sweeping reform of Parliament House, proposed in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ landmark report, is unlikely to be implemented in full before the federal election.

Kate Jenkins’ review made 28 recommendations, including restrictions on alcohol, gender equality targets and diversity, updated codes of conduct for MPs and their staff, and new oversight ­bodies to handle complaints. Picture: Joel Carrett

The sweeping reform agenda for Parliament House – proposed in Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ landmark parliamentary culture report – is unlikely to be implemented in full before the federal election.

The Human Rights Commission’s damning investigation ­lifted a lid on the culture inside parliament, revealing that one third of staff surveyed had experienced sexual harassment and most felt powerless to complain.

The review made 28 recommendations, including restrictions on alcohol, gender equality targets and diversity, updated codes of conduct for MPs and their staff, and new oversight ­bodies to handle complaints.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews – one of the most senior women in the Morrison government – said she would be “very comfortable” with an alcohol ban in Parliament House.

“It’s a workplace. When you come in here I don’t think you should be drinking,” she told 4BC radio. “We’re going into the chamber to vote on important pieces of legislation. It is absolutely inappropriate that at the times parliament is sitting, there should be alcohol consumed.”

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews backs an alcohol ban in Parliament House. Picture: Gary Ramage

Ms Jenkins’ report was one of a series of investigations launched after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins went public in February with her allegation she was raped inside Parliament House shortly before the 2019 election. 

Neither the Coalition nor Labor have formally committed to adopting all 28 recommendations but will commence consultation on the 456-page report this week. It is understood the government intends to respond to the ­report before the election following the cross-party consultation and then begin the implementation process.

On Wednesday, Scott Morrison told parliament the government would work through the consultation process before ­enacting the recommendations.

“This whole parliament has this problem. And everyone in this building has this problem,” the Prime Minister said.

Labor women’s spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the opposition would consult with staff ­before finalising its position.

“I anticipate there’ll be a lot of support for those recommendations,” she said. “We’ll be talking to our staff about how to make sure that this report leads to the permanent change that will make this a better work environment.”

Scott Morrison holds the Jenkins report at Parliament House. Picture: Adam Taylor

Major recommendations such as a proposed overhaul of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act – under which political staffers are employed – would take longer to implement and require legislation. Ms Jenkins also recommended a review of the act to determine if the legislation was consistent with modern employment frameworks. The review would occur before any legislative amendments.

Simpler recommendations such as a joint statement of ­acknowledgment from parliamentary leaders to recognise the harm caused by bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault could be implemented earlier.

The Greens called on the government to urgently enact all 28 recommendations. The party’s women’s spokeswoman, Larissa Waters, urged the government to schedule more sitting days next year. The parliamentary sitting calendar, released by the government this week, revealed the Senate was due to sit for a total of five days in the first four months of the year, thereby limiting the time for the passage of legislation.

“Part-time parliament is no good,” Senator Waters said.

Ms Higgins – who has also urged the government to adopt all the recommendations – said Ms Jenkins’ report was “not overly surprising” but “devastating to read”. “These aren’t radical recommendations. It’s simply about bringing Parliament House in-line with every other workplace in the country,” she said on Twitter.