Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

Whilst this important review was underway throughout much of this year, the Prime Minister also commissioned a deputy secretary in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Stephanie Foster, to review procedures and processes involved in identifying, reporting and responding to serious incidents that occur in the parliamentary workplace. In March the government accepted an urgent recommendation from Ms Foster to establish an independent, trauma-informed, confidential support line, 1800APHSPT. This has been supporting staff, MPs, and their family and friends to receive necessary support. Ms Foster provided her consultation report in June 2021. Following feedback from across the parliament, Ms Foster provided a final report in July 2021. The government accepted the 10 recommendations in that report, working to establish the Safe and Respectful Workplaces training program, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, and transparency and monitoring measures in this regard. I thank Ms Foster for her work, in addition to that of Commissioner Jenkins, and all those who have engaged in these processes, including across parliament.