Cameras, booze ban considered in NSW parliament behaviour crackdown 

Macquarie St could be set for an overhaul, with more CCTV cameras and a crackdown on booze in a bid to curb bad behaviour. But will it work? Take our poll.

Installing security cameras, cracking down on alcohol consumption, and changes to the laws governing how politicians employ staff are among recommendations being considered in a bid to improve behaviour at NSW parliament.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that an independent survey into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in NSW parliament is preparing to deliver its draft findings, which will include worrying allegations levelled against MPs and senior staff.

A group of MPs and staff – both current and former – were briefed early this month on some of the early findings of the review and potential recommendations under consideration.

While Parliament’s presiding officers have pledged to publicly release the final report, undertaken by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, the process so far has been cloaked in secrecy.

Members of a specially convened advisory group who have received briefings on the Broderick survey have been warned not to speak publicly about the matter.

NSW Parliament House in Sydney. Picture: Gaye Gerard

After The Daily Telegraph started making inquiries about the April briefing, chair Leslie Williams issued an edict for advisory group members not to answer questions about what had been discussed.

But multiple people familiar with the briefing, not authorised to speak publicly, told the Telegraph that certain changes to parliamentary procedures were mooted to clamp down on bad behaviour in the workplace.

Extra security cameras could be brought in.

They included: changes to the rules governing how MPs employ staff, an expansion of security cameras inside the parliamentary precinct, and policies on how to manage alcohol consumption.

The suggestions were not final recommendations, but were raised as “part of a conversation about what might be considered” by the Broderick review, the Telegraph was told.

Recommendations expected to be included were “sensible,” one source said. But they added that it was “naive to think one report is going to change” a poor culture in parliament.

The Broderick review – announced in July last year – invited people in and around the parliamentary precinct to share their stories anonymously in a bid to improve workplace culture.

One of the office buildings of the Parliament of NSW. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The review was among a suite of actions undertaken in the wake of Brittany Higgins’ allegations early last year – including establishing compliance and complaints officers for both houses of parliament.

Sources said the review has heard some “disturbing” allegations, which remain untested. MPs and staff briefed on the initial findings were not told of when the incidents were alleged to have occurred.

But the review’s usefulness has been questioned, due to its broad terms of reference and because participation was voluntary.

The review is understood to have cost around $400,000. Sources said that only around 20 per cent of electorate office staff participated in the review.

“It’s worth the money but only if the follow through is there,” an MP said of the Broderick review.

“It’s not worth it if it sits dusty in a bottom drawer.”

A spokeswoman for NSW Parliament said that the review is expected to be finalised in the middle of the year.

“We are pleased with the progress of the review to date and thank the many participants for taking part in surveys, focus groups and interviews,” she said.

Originally published as Cameras, booze ban considered in NSW parliament behaviour crackdown