Budget 2021: Funding to clean up ‘toxic culture’ at Parliament House

A major review into Parliament House’s toxic workplace culture will cost Australian taxpayers more than $3m over two years.

Brittany Higgins pictured speaking to media after a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

A major review into Parliament House’s toxic workplace culture and the mistreatment of women in federal politics will cost Australian taxpayers more than $3m over two years.

Scott Morrison put the review, led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, in motions after his government was rocked by allegations that former Liberal Party staffer ­Brittany Higgins was raped in the parliamentary office of ­cabinet minister Linda Reynolds in 2019.

Allegations of harassment and misbehaviour on both sides of politics dominated the federal political conversation and led to multiple female staffers and MPs speaking out about the federal political culture.

Budget papers reveal the government will spend $2.5m on the Jenkins Review of parliament in the next year, and has already spent another $1m over the past few months.

Despite funding for two years, the Women’s Budget Statement states Ms Jenkins is still due to finish her work in parliament this coming November.

“The aim of the review is to ensure all commonwealth parliamentary workplaces are safe and respectful and the national parliament reflects best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault. The review will report by November 2021,” the statement says.

“The government also announced an independent and confidential 24/7 telephone ­service to support current and former commonwealth ministerial, parliamentary and electorate office staff, and those who have experienced serious incidents.”

Further funding will also go towards boosting counselling, health and safer safety training for parliamentarians and staff in Canberra.

The budget papers have not ­disclosed the amount of money that will be spent on improving parliament’s support services for alleged harassment victims due to “commercial sensitivities”.