David Littleproud admits ‘staff in parliament are hurting’ as Scott Morrison audio leaks

David Littleproud tells of suffering in parliament, as leaked audio reveals PM conceding the government has failed.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud says staffers in parliament are hurting, as leaked audio reveals Scott Morrison conceded the government has failed to curb sexism and bad behaviour in parliament.

Prime Minister told a meeting of all Coalition staffers this week that he wanted to tackle sexism and sexual harassment headed on but knew many staffers may be “sceptical” of his determination, Nine Newspapers on Sunday reported.

“I have no doubt you are sceptical and you want to see this stuff work before you believe — that’s fair enough, that’s totally fair enough,” Mr Morrison reportedly said.

“So we will get on and address this, we will get on and make these changes, I ask you to work with us as we do that.”

Mr Littleproud — who is also deputy leader of the Nationals — told Sky News that the government was “sorry” for the way staffers had felt let down in recent weeks.

“There’s a lot of hurt. My staff are hurt. There’s a lot people in this building who are aggrieved at the actions of a few,” he said.

“You can’t live and work in an environment like this and not be disappointed ... they feel let down, and we get that, for that we’re sorry.”

The comments come as the Coalition lost another MP to scandal-induced medical leave, with the announcement overnight that Andrew Laming would step down from parliamentary duties and undergo counselling over a series of allegations that he had harassed women.

He joins Defence Minister Linda Reynolds, who called alleged rape victim and former staffer Brittany Higgins a “lying cow” and Attorney-General Christian Porter, who has been accused of an historical rape.

Nationals federal president Larry Anthony has called on the party to “stand for something” and be “fearless” in the face of left-and right-wing extremism “eating” into its heartland.

The former Howard government minister, who is leaving his post after six years, warned on Saturday that while the Nationals held their ground at the last two elections, winning a fourth term would not be an “easy task”.

Speaking at the Nationals federal conference in Canberra, Mr Anthony said future success must be built on taking on the ­“alternative left agenda of the ALP, Greens and independents”.

“People want to see us fight. You have got to stand for something, and you can’t be all things to all people. You need to fight for what is right, that’s when we have a future,” Mr Anthony said.

“A future for those in the bush, for those communities and families on the coast or in the country. And we need to fight against ­extremism both on the left and the right, which naturally eats into our constituency.”

Mr Anthony, whose late ­father Doug was a former deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals for 13 years, also called for the defence of “faith in our institutions”, under assault from “cancel culture” and “foreign threats”.

“The Coalition and our party are seeking a fourth term. No easy task. We held our ground in the last two election cycles — an amazing achievement. For future success we must stick to core DNA and our core constituency to govern, defend and take on the alternative left agenda of the ALP, Greens and independent,” he said.