Parliament House is Canberra isn’t merely a “toxic workplace”. In fact, looking at the revelations of the Jenkins report purely through the prism of the workplace is inadequate for conveying the enormity of what has been perpetrated in that building.
Parliament House may be a workplace, but it is one in which there is far less accountability or transparency than any other Australian workplace — not to mention far greater power imbalances and far worse consequences for those who speak out.
Just ask Brittany Higgins, who had the office of the prime minister backgrounding against her partner for daring to raise her voice.
What’s revealed in the report is as much about a criminal conspiracy as it is about a toxic workplace — a conspiracy to cover up, indeed, to normalise, sexual assault, sexual predation, harassment and bullying. It contains a litany of shocking incidents — accompanied by attempts to downplay or hide them, protect the perpetrators and punish the victims.
The first level of the conspiracy is failing to act against well-known perpetrators. The report described “a culture in which the individuals responsible for misconduct are often widely known and their behaviour deliberately overlooked, minimised or tolerated. The commission heard about individuals whose misconduct was an “open secret” that “everyone knows about, but nobody does anything to address”.
Even increasing the number of female MPs in Parliament isn’t going to address this. As one respondent explained, a “number of female shadow cabinet members and staff and press gallery journalists knew about some of my circumstances but other than gossip about me and shame me they offered no assistance”.
The second is failing to respond to complaints, or discouraging complaints. As one victim of sexual harassment noted when they complained: “His reply was that it was part of my job to get along with MPs and staff from all sides of politics, so that we could get things done in the chamber, and that this kind of thing was part and parcel of ‘getting along’. The implication was that this was not only to be tolerated by me, but actively sought out and encouraged.”
Another: “I was sexually harassed multiple times, sexually assaulted, bullied and terrorised. And I was told that if I ever sought help or spoke about what happened to me my professional reputation and personal life would be destroyed.”
The third is actively witnessing assault, harassment and predation and either failing to intervene, or actively encouraging it. One respondent describes being assaulted by an MP: “The MP sitting beside me leaned over. Also thinking he wanted to tell me something, I leaned in. He grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat. The others all laughed. It was revolting and humiliating.”
Another reported an MP “actually put his hand up my skirt and tried to kiss me at that party. And it was quite disgusting. And I was also told by state parliamentarians and members of the party constantly that they need young, sexy, attractive women in the … party”.
These are not bad apple situations: a third of respondents reported being sexually harassed. And 37% reported bullying, which ranges from unjustified complaints and belittling comments through to criminal acts such as physical violence or threats of physical violence, reported by 5% of parliamentarian respondents and 3% of staffers.
This is criminal conduct, being covered up by people who mock victims, refuse to take their complaints seriously, do nothing about widespread knowledge of perpetrators, and punish — or threaten to punish — those who speak out.
A focus on addressing Parliament House’s rotten culture — including the power imbalances, the sacrificing of everything for the good of the party, the terrible employment conditions of political staff, the long hours, the drug use, and the cult of non-accountability around MPs — is crucial. But confining the response to that comes with high risks: it means that many of the worst perpetrators of sexual assault, harassment and bullying will make the rules about what the new culture will look like. It means that senators like the clown who made dog noises at Jacqui Lambie yesterday will make the rules about what’s appropriate.
Even the recommendations of the report leave MPs in charge of dealing with parliamentarians who have engaged in misconduct or criminal behaviour, meaning no action will ever be taken if suspending an MP means political harm.
Until criminal behaviour within Parliament House — including attempts to interfere with complaints about criminal behaviour — is treated as such, and the perpetrators are subjected to external investigation and sanction, rather than the wrist-slapping of their own colleagues, talk of workplace culture can only be a beginning.
I really can’t understand why the media is being so sanguine about Morrison’s comment that he wasn’t surprised by the report’s findings. The inference is that he knew there was rampant harassment and abuse, and was, therefore aware of at least some of the perpetrators. So, why aren’t there headlines along lines of “Morrison knew of abuse”, or at the very least, “Morrison unsurprised by sexual abuse”?
Keane is right. But to shift anything will involve changing attitudes outside parliament too. This was illustrated perfectly by Phil Coorey of the AFR on RN Breakfast this morning, following the disrespect shown to Lambie during parliamentary questions, insisting that it is unrealistic to expect MPs to be civil in parliament, particularly with an election coming up. To give him his due, he did not say boys will be boys. But why does he insist it is unrealistic? He’s enabling the whole disgraceful, shameful circus. And there’s always an election coming up, at least within three years, so let’s not concede that one for a minute.
The tradition of MPs, and staffers, behaving worse than over-excited teenagers should no longer be celebrated or tolerated. The standard of behaviour in parliament at all times should be the standard of any decent modern workplace, and nobody inside or outside parliament should settle for less.
Agreed Rat. Political reporters and media commentators who do not take this seriously, who down play it, excuse it (for any reason) are a big part of the problem as enablers.
Phil Coorey may feel like a battle scarred headmaster at some terrible all boys school, BUT, when the mute button is on, the behaviour is normalized.
Well said SSR. The ‘over-excited teenagers’ hits the mark. The MPs and the press gallery seem to have a symbiotic relationship in our national parliament building. Phil Coorey is a mumbling dill, who somehow always finds a ‘that’s the reality’ or ‘they all do it’ kind of excuse not to be shocked by or critical of anything the Morrison government does. That he and Van Onselen, and even Michelle Grattan, are the go-to commentators on RN Breakfast demonstrates in which direction the ‘ABC bias’ is pointing.
Over-excited teenage boys from a single-sex private boys’ school where the need to prove to your peers that you have managed to reduce women to no more than sex objects signifies that you are not a ‘poofter’.
I’ll never forget sitting with a group of perfectly behaved, bemused co-ed state school students among a mob of Melbourne’s most expensive private school students watching them destroy a performance by Robert Helpmann. Once they were out reach of their teachers their behaviour was appalling, similarly when girls from state schools at university got free board at men’s colleges at Melbourne University: the first time in my life I’d been sworn at or had to listen to obscene comments about my gender. It would be interesting to chase up these men’s educational origins.
Reminiscent of the UK Tory party. All privately educated to believe their privilege is inherent and that women are a danger to the cult that sustains them.
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” Has there ever been a more appropriate quote for this divisive government. Politicians and staffers involved in sexual misconduct, harassment, threatening behaviour must be named, shamed and expelled from their party, instead of receiving the usual promotion.
Bernard could have dropped a few hints in this very article about some of the serial offenders – we are all scratching our heads wondering who and on what side, while the rogues continue to strut around secure in the knowledge they can sue anyone who points at them.
The public really deserves to know who they are.
Defamation actions appear to be the flavour of the year.
The Federal Police could have an office in parliament house focussing on these issues. Bringing in and questioning the perps at least would have an effect, even without charges being laid. Then there must be some way to protect victims, but I don’t know how. Preselection?
Yes, putting the AFP is a position to intimidate and direct MPs all day long could make a big difference. Rather like the decision taken in ancient Rome to discard the old prohibition on bringing soldiers anywhere near the city. Once the Praetorian Guard was permanently based inside Rome they never looked back, murdering and replacing emperors at will.
What a horrible thought, murdering and replacing lying corrupt politicians at will. It will never work.
The Praetorians were very properly even-handed, being equally deadly both to good and bad emperors.
My real concern about making a stronger and more routine bond between the AFP and the imates of our parliament is the opportunity and encouragement it provides for them to form corrupt liaisons for mutual benefit and the injury of any opponents.
It would be a great reality TV show – I’d certainly watch it.
Oh, give it a chance!
Any one who scored at least 2 independent accusations from the Jenkins research should be formally and independently interviewed and records kept, ready for the 3 strikes and you’re out step.
Unfortunately, preselection relies on a very small group of self interested/satisfied with an already demonstrated dodgy grasp of ethics – having chosen them in the first instance.
Perhaps they could apply the old “consorting ” laws.
No serving AFP officer would cross a member of the government.
Thanks for calling out this behaviour as criminal, Bernard, because that’s what it is. Beyond that, I see no reason why these pathetic creeps will change their behaviour – there is no incentive for them to do so. Australia is an increasingly hideous country that enables tall toddlers – their mummies and others support them. And to Liberal/National women: you are creeps of the same order. Thanks yet again, Bernard. How you keep going is beyond me, but thank goodness you do.
Marissa Payne should resign.
She can’t, she’s one of the boys. Or at least an honorary member.