TRANSCRIPT
Whilst many believe that Parliament House should set the standard for behaviour within the nation, it's well known that isn't the case.
Five years ago, an alleged sexual assault occurred within the walls of Parliament, sparking national outrage and a review into the behaviour in parliamentary workplaces.
The final recommendation from that review is now on its way to being implemented - and there will soon be consequences for code of conduct breaches by anyone working in parliament.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher says it's an important step in improving standards.
"It's all about improving workplace conduct in this building, and making sure that where there is bad conduct or poor conduct, misconduct, that there's appropriate sanctions and enough deterrent to stop that behaviour from happening. We've done a huge amount of work across the parliament with all all representative groups but, you know, there's a little way to go, but I'm hopeful we've found the right balance."
The parliament has already agreed on a draft code of conduct - which is a pretty standard code of conduct you'd expect in any workplace.
It applies to anyone working within the building, requiring them to treat all people with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect.
It also prohibits bullying and harassment, sexual harassment and assault, and discrimination in all its forms.
Ms Gallagher says it has been challenging to get to this point.
"Well, it's been an unusual workplace in the sense that, you know, MPs and Senators are not employed in the traditional way. They're employed essentially by their electorates and so, behaviour and codes of conduct hasn't really been put in place like it has been in other workplaces where you've got that straight employee-employer relationship. So it has been tricky."
And now, the consequences are clear.
An Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission will be established to review complaints, with the power to impose sanctions.
That can include suspension from parliament, removal from committees, or a fine of up to 5 per cent of an MP or senator's salary, which is more than $11,000 for the lowest-paid parliamentarian.
Ms Gallagher says the publicity of the complaint will be the key factor.
"I actually think it's less about probably the fines and removal from certain positions - it's more that that will be clear, it will be publicly known that that's what's happened, and I think that's a very significant deterrent for members of parliament and senators."
If a complaint is made, it will be investigated by the Commission.
For politicians, if the Commission recommends sanctions, they will be taken to the parliament, who will have to vote for it to be actioned.
For all other workers in the building, the complaint is dealt with outside the chamber after the investigation is complete, within the staffer's, journalist's, or contractor's workplace.
But the code does not apply to behaviour within the chamber, which is protected by parliamentary privilege.
Several independent politicians have called on senior politicians to set the example as the new laws are introduced to the House.
"I have never stood in a boardroom and been yelled at. I have never met with peers and had a sensation where they were completely un-open to listening to me, or even engaging in a constructive and respectful conversation to me."
That's Kylea Tink, the Member for North Sydney.
She was joined by three other crossbench MPs who have issues with the way debate happens in Parliament - including Allegra Spender.
"We have a difficult moment in Australia right now. We have some issues that are actually tearing us apart and where we are struggling to disagree well and to listen to each other. And when I look in the chamber I say 'we are not setting an example,' because I look up and almost every Question Time there are kids sitting around the top of the chamber. And I look at this behaviour and I go 'this is the sort of behaviour I'm trying to make sure my kids don't engage with rather than use this as an example."
Last week, crossbench MP Zali Steggall was heckled several times by Peter Dutton as she questioned his demand for a blanket ban on visas out of Gaza.
STEGGALL: "Of humanitarian aid."
SPEAKER: "Order, the leader of the opposition will cease interjecting.”
STEGGALL: " We heard you in silence. You can hear me in silence."
SPEAKER: "Order …"
STEGGALL: "Stop being racist."
SPEAKER: "Leader of the Opposition. Order, order."
She says the Opposition Leader and the Prime Minister need to set an example.
"The mob mentality is permitted by its leadership. And so my call is to Peter Dutton, he is the first to turn around in those situations and yell out."
Melissa Donnelly, from the Community and Public Sector Union, welcomes the move.
"Well in late 2021 the Jenkins report identified a raft of issues, including bullying, sexual harassment, assault and discrimination that were occurring in parliamentary workplaces. The bill being introduced today is an important part of delivering solutions for this. It is important that parliamentarians are held to the same standard as other employees and workers in this country."
As does Greens leader Adam Bandt.
"For years, politicians have behaved badly and got away with it, but that changes today. Parliament should set the standard of behaviour, instead of being a national shame. The Greens strongly support the implementation, not only of codes of conduct, but new enforceable standards to lift the behaviour in this place."
Whilst deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley is keen to get across the detail.
"I've been part of the Parliamentary Leadership taskforce that has been tasked with implementing recommendations from the Jenkins Review. It's been important work. We've established the Parliamentary Workplace Support Scheme. I want to give a shout out to that scheme. It's operating in the building right now for everyone in the building 24/7, and it's a place you can go for help now. That's incredibly important, and it's been incredibly well done as a result of cross-party work. I haven't seen this legislation. I want to look at it closely. I know that my party room will do the same thing."
