Health Minister Mark Butler says more needs to be done to tackle workplace conduct in Parliament House, as a report revealing the number of cases of serious misconduct in Parliament House gained momentum magnitude on Sunday.
Figures from the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service’s annual report published last month show the body dealt with 339 complaints in its first nine months of operation.
Thirty of the cases handled by the Federal Parliament’s work support service between October 2023 and the end of June 2024 concerned rape or sexual assault, assault, sexual harassment, stalking, stalking or intimidation.
“It’s really worrying, but as many who have worked in or around Parliament for a long time may have said, it’s not entirely surprising,” Butler told Sky News on Sunday.
“This is a workplace that really needs to raise its standards, and I think having that process or structure in place is an important first step. People need to be held accountable for any bad behavior.
“This process is starting to work, but I think this report shows in a really worrying way that Parliament still has a way to go.”
During the nine-month period, a further 33 cases involved harassment.
The report said 62 cases involved family or domestic violence, alcohol, drugs or mental health issues, while 90 cases related to workplace conflict were being managed.
The support service was created following a recommendation from the landmark Set the Standard report, which examined widespread misconduct in Federal Parliament.
MPs passed laws earlier this year to create an independent parliamentary standards commission, with powers to investigate workplace conduct and enforce a code of behavior.
National leader David Littleproud said it was the duty of MPs and senators to make Parliament a safe place to work.
“What these numbers demonstrate today is that after 12 months of reforms, it shows that we have created an environment in which people feel comfortable coming forward,” he said on Nine’s Today programme.
“We need to create that environment, and I think we are and these numbers demonstrate that these reforms are working slowly, but we can all do better, whether in Parliament or outside Parliament.”
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit . In case of emergency, call 000.
