Four in 10 women in politics report sexual harassment

A damning report into federal parliamentary workplaces has found 40 per cent of women have experienced sexual harassment at work, with Australia’s sex discrimination commissioner recommending sweeping changes to how alcohol, complaints and behaviour issues are dealt with in politics.

Nearly two-thirds of female politicians have been harassed.

Women working in politics recounted stories that included being kissed against their will, ogled at work, belittled, and subjected to a “chauvinist” atmosphere in Parliament House.

Former prime minister Julia Gillard said the report, made public on Tuesday, proved “it’s time to change our federal parliament forever”.

The landmark ‘Set The Standard’ report from Kate Jenkins and the Australian Human Rights Commission, prompted by sexual assault and misconduct allegations made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and other women in politics, found an environment of sexism and mistreatment in the halls of power.

“I do often describe Parliament House as the most sexist place I’ve worked,” one respondent to the inquiry said.

In a statement via the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at the Australian National University, Ms Higgins said hoped the Jenkins report “inspired immediate action”.

“I want to thank the many brave people who shared their stories which contributed to this review. I hope all sides of politics not only commit to but implement these recommendations in full,” Ms Higgins said.

In the same statement, Ms Gillard – who established the GIWL – called on parliament to change “forever”.

“We need a code of conduct and an effective way of receiving and acting on complaints. The Jenkins review gives us this,” Ms Gillard said.

“We need all political parties to work together with urgency and ambition and commit to deliver the bold reforms that are needed.”

Ms Jenkins’ report sets out 28 recommendations, including that political party leaders make a statement in parliament acknowledging problems of harassment and assault, and commit to accountability and action.

Other recommendations include setting stronger targets for diversity among staff and politicians, expanding support and complaint services for staff, creating an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.

The report also recommends overhauling procedures in the parliamentary chambers, to eliminate sexist and discriminatory language and behaviour among politicians, as well as developing strict codes of conduct for parliamentarians.

Mr Morrison acknowledged “deficiencies” in standards of parliament and politics. He said there was a culture of working long and hard in Parliament House, but that should not excuse the behaviour detailed in the report.

That “‘work hard, play hard” culture is also analysed in the report, with Ms Jenkins examining how parliamentary staff – often young people who regularly travel long distances from home and work extreme hours – are exposed to alcohol and stress. Other recommendations include reviewing the parliament calendar and sitting hours “with a view to enhancing wellbeing”, as well as overhauling policies on alcohol standards and availability in politics.

Numerous submissions to the review directly talk about how alcohol pervades socialising and even work hours in politics.

“I thought it was normal to tell people that they should avoid certain people at events. I thought it was normal to tell people how to take alcohol to remain safe. Now that I look back on it, that is insane,” one person said.

“Members of parliament have gone onto the floor of parliament to vote under the influence of alcohol – something that would be illegal in most workplaces,” said another.

One person told the review about people becoming “drunk on free booze” in politicians’ offices on sitting weeks.

“You’ve got this room of 20-year-olds with a 60-year-old man … plying them all with alcohol in an enclosed room, in a professional office building. It’s not a recipe for good professional behaviour,” they said.