Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators, today is the first anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Commissioner's report Set the standard: report on the independent review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, and I welcome that one-year anniversary. As presiding officers, we again acknowledge the history of unacceptable behaviour in Parliament House and recommit the parliament to positive change.

The Set the standard report highlighted that a high rate of people, particularly women, in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces have experienced bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault. This is unacceptable. We restate the commitment of the parliament to making lasting change to ensure this does not continue.

We have an ongoing responsibility to create workplaces that attract and support the best people our country has to offer.

The Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce is leading meaningful change in the parliament. We commend their commitment in understanding and addressing the issues that have been ignored for too long.

Since February, there has already been significant progress in implementing the 28 recommendations of the report. Legislation has been amended to clarify our duties in respect of employment, antidiscrimination and work health and safety laws. Proposed codes of conduct will be released shortly that cover the work of parliamentarians, staff and parliamentary workplaces, and I commend that committee on its work today. Changes to the sitting calendar and hours of sitting now consider wellbeing, balance and flexibility. New parliamentarians and their staff have participated in refreshed induction processes. A feasibility study into a parliamentary health and wellbeing service is being conducted, with plans to improve services for parliamentarians and staff, including GP services, pharmaceutical services and mental health supports. Work is underway to improve work health and safety, accessibility for those with disability and professional support available for parliamentarians and staff. The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service has been expanded. It is already providing confidential support and advice to those in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. The Senate and House procedure committees are examining orders and conventions to improve levels of safety and respect in the chamber and to enhance wellbeing balance and flexibility.

Looking forward, some of the notable work underway includes the establishment of a new human resources function to support parliamentarians and their staff and the development of new measures to support greater diversity and inclusion.

The framework for action set out in the Set the standard report is leadership, diversity and inclusion, accountability and safety and wellbeing.

We all have a responsibility to display exemplary individual leadership. We all have a role to play to set the standard for an inclusive, respectful and professional workplace here in Parliament House and across Australia. Thank you, senators.