Federal Parliament still an ‘unsafe place to work’ after reports of sexual assault, stalking, intimidation

Dozens of reports of serious wrongdoing – including sexual assault, stalking and intimidation – in Federal Parliament are “really concerning” and show there is a “way to go” to clean up its toxic workplace culture, a senior Labor minister has said.

Parliament’s support service for staff and politicians managed 339 cases in its first nine months, according to its first annual report.

That included 30 cases involving reports of rape/sexual assault, sexual harassment, harassment, stalking or intimidation.

Some 33 involved reports of alleged bullying, 62 related to family and domestic violence, alcohol, drugs or mental health, while 90 were about workplace conflict.

The Parliamentary Workplace Support Services (PWSS) was established after Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape in the office of then-minister Linda Reynolds prompted a review into parliament’s workplace culture.

The PWSS deals with cases on a confidential basis, meaning details of the 339 reports have not been disclosed.

However, some cases have become public via media reports: Lidia Thorpe’s accusation of harassment against Victorian senator David Van, Richard Marles’ chief of staff’s allegation she was forced from her job and multiple staff complaints against WA Greens senator Dorinda Cox.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the reports were “really deeply concerning” and showed Federal Parliament was still an “unsafe place to work, for too many people”.

“This is a workplace that really does need to lift its standards,” Mr Butler told Sky News.

“And I think putting that process or that structure in place is an important first step. People need to be held accountable for poor behaviour, whether it’s MPs, staff, employees at Parliament House.

“This process is starting to work, but I think this report really concerningly shows that Parliament still has a way to go.”

While the PWSS acts primarily as a HR service, the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) can investigate misbehaving politicians and issue punishments, including docking up to 5 per cent of their salary.

The new commission started last month.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said the number of cases reported to the PWSS was a sign efforts to clean up Parliament’s act were working.

“I think what these numbers today demonstrate that after 12 months of reforms, it shows that we’ve created an environment where people feel comfortable to come forward, that they’re going to be supported not just at an emotional level, but also where appropriate at a legal level,” Mr Littleproud told Weekend Today.