Zali Steggall (Warringah, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Prime Minister. To quote Brittany Higgins, 'The system is broken,' and, to quote your own words just now, you want to see people safe. You have the power, being in government today, to make all Australians, especially members of parliament, liable for and protected from sexual harassment in the workplace by supporting the sex discrimination amendment bill introduced into the parliament this morning. Will you do so? If your answer is 'we're working on it', that is not good enough.

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

The members holding up those placards will put them down, and the attendants will collect them. The Prime Minister has the call. The member for Clark will resume his seat.

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

I thank the member for her question. Of course the government is committed to ensuring that Australia's legal frameworks are effective in preventing and responding to sexual harassment. The question of how best to address sexual assault, though, which is the subject of your bill, should be informed by the findings of the inquiries that have been announced into sexual assault allegations. The issue of sexual harassment was also, as has been noted earlier today, the subject of the Respect@Work report and the Law Council of Australia's recent national action plan. Although the government appreciate the member's efforts, we note that the draft bill goes beyond the recommendations of those documents. We would be happy to keep the member informed of the government's progress on our consultations and possible legislative reforms.