Matt O'Sullivan (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I will start by reflecting in the same way that Senator Scarr did, reflecting on those who have made contributions—Senator McAllister and Senator O'Neill. And I join with them in recognising the deep importance of addressing these serious issues that, sadly, too many workplaces in Australia are challenged by. Everyone deserves to be able to come to work and to work in a safe environment—everyone. Our national parliament ought to be and should aim to be the model workplace that all other workplaces could model themselves on. All political parties and those who work in Parliament House have a role to play in ensuring that we achieve this.

The government has taken some very significant steps. But, sadly, I don't seem to see the recognition of those steps that have been taken. I actually welcomed the fact that initially there was some real bipartisanship in getting on board and making sure that the independent processes that need to be put in place are there. The government has taken significant steps in the past few weeks to address the concerns raised by current and former staff and by parliamentarians, and I'll take you through those. It's why we've established an independent and confidential 24/7 telephone service to support current and former Commonwealth ministerial, parliamentary and electorate office staff and those who have experienced serious incidents in any Commonwealth parliamentary workplace. It's why this government has announced an independent review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, which will be led by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Ms Kate Jenkins, and work is also underway by Stephanie Foster, the deputy secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. I don't know Stephanie personally, but I sit on the Finance and Public Administration Committee and she often presents in front of estimates. Having sat through that and watched how she conducts herself, we know that she is a thoroughly independent person. She is a very professional person and somebody who I am confident will do an outstanding job in the work that she has been tasked to do, which is to assist and advise the Prime Minister on how to improve the processes that are necessary to support people—in particular, staff—when serious matters arise.

Everyone has the right to protest and to raise their voice. These are serious issues, and the whole parliament is working through the response to the concerns that have been raised. I recognise the importance of the stated aims of those who marched on the steps of Parliament House today, out there on the lawns. I encourage those who were part of that, and the organisers, please, to take up the offer that was provided by the Prime Minister in good faith to sit down and listen so that he can hear from them and so that a genuine discussion can take place. That's what's needed here. I welcome the exercise of free speech by those who were outside. It's appropriate that we engage with these issues, just like we had the debate on the bill around freedom of speech on campus prior to question time. The freedom to express and be able to deal with issues in a free and appropriate way is of course very important.

We will continue to work with those opposite and anyone in this place to proceed with this independent review into the issues that Ms Higgins has claimed happened, and also the culture in this workplace. I hope that this issue doesn't continue to be politicised. It would be disappointing, but the risks are present when those opposite seem to exploit the trauma that has been caused. We have to focus on what is necessary to move forward. (Time expired)