If Australia is serious about fixing the culture at parliament, this is the code of conduct we need

protest signs at the front of parliament house at the march 4 justice
Credit: C N Oberon
Friday 30 July 2021

BLAIR WILLIAMS - Australia has been rocked by serious allegations of sexual assault and harassment that have poured out of parliament house this year. In February, former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins revealed a toxic workplace culture for political staffers when she spoke about her own alleged assault. As others have come forward with their stories, we have witnessed a reckoning about sexism and misogyny in our political culture.In response, the Morrison government initiated a range of reviews. The Foster review into serious incidents at parliament was finished in June. This week, the government accepted all ten recommendations — including an independent complaints process. However, this will not be enough make parliament safe. Attention now needs to shift to the work of sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins, who is conducting an independent review into parliament’s workplace culture. Submissions for her landmark review close on Saturday.

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Updated:  30 July 2021/Responsible Officer:  Institute Director/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications