Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

():  I want to again speak to the important matter of the implementation of the recommendations from the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner's Set the standard: report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. The recommendations were intended to be fully implemented within 12 months. Here we are three years later. Progress has been made, but it does need to be quicker.

An independent trauma informed Parliamentary Workplace Support Service to support staff and MPs dealing with harassment and abuse has been established, and it's a huge step forward. I thank the government for their ongoing support of the PWSS, but without enforcement powers it's unable to solve the problems that it's been set up to tackle. According to recommendation 22 of the Set the standard report, 'both of the houses of parliament should establish, within 12 months, an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission' to enforce codes of conduct. It was expected in October 2023; it's now blown out to October 2024, and this is the second extension. Without this body, bad behaviour can continue to go unchecked. Without real prospects that an MP will be sanctioned, staff may continue to be reluctant to come forward, because consequences matter. We appreciate that the work to set up the IPSC is complex, but it's also very important, and it's been too slow. Members of parliament have significant powers to shape the lives of our communities, and, given that responsibility, we need a mechanism which holds them to account.

S et the standard recommended that the IPSC should have the power to operate a fair, independent, confidential and transparent system to receive disclosures as well as handle complaints about misconduct; to make findings about misconduct; to make recommendations on sanctions; and to apply sanctions for a breach of the code of conduct. Without genuine consequences, there's little to deter the bad behaviour that we see time and time again. We'll continue to push for real accountability and transparency so that the IPSC can effectively hold people to account.

While the work to establish the IPSC is being undertaken, it's a responsibility of every MP to act consistently with the commitments they made when endorsing the codes and for all parties to act quickly in response to any complaints. We know that for First Nations people, people of colour and people with disability the harassment and disrespect experienced in this place or online when working in parliamentary roles is even worse. Sexism, racism, ableism and discrimination on the basis of sexuality, identity or preference persist and are even more damaging and dangerous when they intersect. Increasing diversity in this place is critical, but that cannot happen without measures to make this a safe workplace for a more diverse range of people. When female MPs are still being subject to sexist, intimidatory behaviour, you can only imagine how much worse it is for staff. Indeed, the Set the standard report showed that more than half of those surveyed had experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault.

We have to be better: every single one of us, every single day. Staff, current and former, and affected survivors must be involved in these reforms in a meaningful way, and must feel supported to tell us when we're not doing enough. For those who have suffered and those who are still suffering, we intend to support you—to ensure that you are considered and your rights upheld. A robust, independent and confidential complaints process must be established, and it must be one which people can trust. It's time for parliament to set the standard.

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