‘Widespread culture of sexism’ in federal parliament, MEAA tells review

The culture of ‘male dominance’ in Canberra makes female journalists feel uncomfortable and unsafe, according to a submission to a review.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. Picture: Joel Carrett

Federal parliament has a “widespread culture of sexism” that makes female journalists feel unsafe, according to a union submission to an independent review.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, was appointed by the Morrison government to lead the investigation, which focuses on workplace bullying, sexual harassment and the broader culture in Parliament House.

A submission by the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance said a confidential survey of its Press Gallery members found a “widespread culture of sexism” and “male dominance” that made female journalists feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

Numerous members reported experiencing or witnessing sexual harassment in Parliament House, such as unsolicited touching, staring and leering and comments about their own or colleagues’ bodies and clothing.

“Women journalists reported both through the survey and through feedback to MEAA more generally of a ‘boys’ club’ culture,” the submission by the union for journalists said.

It said women often experienced “mansplaining” by male politicians and staffers to women and being spoken over the top of by male politicians and staffers.

In a separate submission, University of Sydney economics Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark said it was vital to have “systematic” and “representative” survey data on workplace harassment and assault.

Professor Cobb-Clark, who has published articles on sexual harassment in the US military and US federal government, said this data could help measure the extent of harassment, identify gaps in understanding the issue and monitor trends over time.

Brittany Higgins’ rape allegation triggered a flurry of internal investigations and reviews in parliament and led to a national reckoning on the handling of sexual assault allegations and the treatment of women in politics.

A separate report in July by one of Scott Morrison’s most senior officials, Stephanie Foster, was released in July. An independent complaints body for MPs and staff – a key recommendation from Ms Foster’s report – commenced last month. Ms Foster’s report also recommended anti-harassment training for MPs and their staff, which has begun.

Labor and the Greens had previously called for the complaints body to be able to investigate incidents that occurred outside the current parliamentary term because it can often take survivors many years to speak about an alleged assault. Some government MPs also said they supported the new complaints team being able to retrospectively investigate incidents from past parliaments.

The Australian Federal Police in May said it had received 19 reports of alleged sex crimes and other “sensitive matters” involving federal MPs and staff since Ms Higgins went public with her ­allegation in February.

The final report for Ms Jenkins’ review is due next month.