Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In this place yesterday we heard from Senator Henderson that the Morrison government had done more for Australian women than any other government in history. Seriously? Seemingly, Senator Henderson is oblivious to the chorus of concerns raised in recent years by her colleagues and former colleagues, including Julie Bishop, Julia Banks, Bridget Archer and even Minister Linda Reynolds. Senator Henderson went on to say that it was one of the most caring workplaces she has ever worked in. Give me a break! How the senator can overlook the appalling treatment of Brittany Higgins and Rachel Miller—a woman who was bullied and harassed, and who lost her career—is beyond me.

Today, we saw the Liberal preselection hopeful for Reid pull out and run as an Independent, after yet more alleged inappropriate behaviour by senior Liberal males. When her complaints were not listened to, she said:

It is astonishing the level of dismissiveness with which those concerns have been met.

At the same time, I see a government paying lip service to this notion of respect at work and the protection of women and I believe that the concerns that I have raised have caused the party to sweep yet another critical issue under the rug.

Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, it being 2.00 pm, we are required to move to questions without notice.