Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to make some comments today in the wake of the Prime Minister's press conference yesterday following ongoing reports of utterly unacceptable behaviour in this parliament, which has served to reinforce and bake in existing inequalities and ongoing practices that underpin gendered violence not just in this place but in our nation, as well as a culture of bullying and harassment.

I watched that press conference, as I'm sure most Australian women did, and we saw a Prime Minister moved—apparently, profoundly moved. Indeed, there were significant moments where he shed tears. I hope that that provides some insight that there is some empathy going on now in the Prime Minister's office and that he realises that we're not seeking a political fix here. We need a Prime Minister who will be a leader, who will stand up, who will take significant action, who will drive long-term sustainable cultural change not just in this House but in every house in Australia, in every workplace in Australia, in every street and suburb.

Prime Minister, I've got a few things for you to start thinking about right now. How about taking a leaf out of the Victorian government's book and looking at a gendered equity strategy, a piece of legislation that might bring genuine change to this nation— (Time expired)

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