Bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, is unacceptable in all workplaces, including within parliamentarians' offices.
Expansion of Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS)
As recommended by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins in Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) was expanded on 12 April 2022 so that all Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants are able to access support and advice from the PWSS, in relation to serious incidents or misconduct, and workplace conflict that amounts to a work health and safety risk.
The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service supports people affected by serious incidents or misconduct in the parliamentary workplace.
They offer expert, trauma informed support and resolution of complaints.
More information can be found on the PWSS website.
Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
The Government has released the Report into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (CPW) undertaken by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. The Review was established by the Government following consultation across the Parliament to ensure all Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces are safe and respectful and that the parliament reflects best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. The report sets out a framework for action organised under five key shifts required to ensure safe and respectful work environments in CPWs in the areas of leadership, diversity, equality and inclusion, systems to support performance, standards reporting and accountability and safety and wellbeing. In this short video, Commissioner Jenkins discusses the Review and describes the specific drivers and risk factors for bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in CPWs.
The AHRC has also developed a Support and self-care guide, with additional supports.