Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister, and I refer to the Prime Minister's answers yesterday. In relation to the reported sexual assault, does the Prime Minister still maintain that his office didn't know even though in the same answers he said a member of his office did?

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand by the statements that I have made in this House all week. As the Leader of the Opposition knows, the member of staff that he is referring to was formerly the chief of staff to the Minister for Defence Industry and that knowledge related to her time in that role, not in her role in my office. He'd be aware of that, and seeking to conflate those things and suggest that involves a knowledge of my office would be misplaced and inaccurate. I was asked about the knowledge of my office—that is, the Prime Minister's office—being informed by other officers about these events and I have answered honestly about this. The last thing I've sought to do—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Members on my left, I'm trying to hear the Prime Minister.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

is to cause any further distress in this area and it's very important that we continue, and I will continue, to address these issues as honestly and as openly as possible. That is what I am doing. That is what the Minister for Defence is doing, that is what the minister for employment and skills is doing, and we will continue to do that.

Everyone should feel safe in their workplace and be safe in their workplace. I want to advise the House today that to ensure staff are supported at this time—and it's been a traumatic, I believe, time for staff, over the course of this week, as these events have become known to us all—that the Department of Finance, through the Employment Assistance Program, is increasing support available to staff but also to members and senators. From Monday 22 February, three counsellors will be available onsite in Parliament House between 8.30 am and 5 pm, and counsellors will also be available for telephone based calls via the usual employment assistance hotline, which is 1800945145. We are keen to ensure that support is put in place for the members and senators in this place and their staff. If there are any staff out there who need to reach out for that counselling and support at this time because of the traumatic events of this week, I would encourage them to do so. Indeed if there are any members or senators who wish to do that, that support and service is available to them.