The NSW government has delivered an acknowledgement of abuse and harassment in state Parliament, with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet highlighting failures in dealing with complaints and the lack of clarity around workplace boundaries.
“As premier, it is appropriate for me to acknowledge that it is not now and it never was acceptable. And we deeply regret what complainants and survivors have been through, the distress,” he said.
Perrottet singled out survivor, advocate and former Liberal staffer Dhanya Mani in his speech.
“I want to thank and acknowledge the survivors and particularly acknowledge Dhanya Mani who has used her own experience as a survivor to be a courageous voice for change,” he said.
Perrottet’s acknowledgement follows a review of policies and procedures for ministerial offices announced by former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and conducted by Pru Goward, released in April last year. As of last month, a respectful workplace policy along with respect-at-work training has been implemented. Elizabeth Broderick is also set to release an independent review into bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct in NSW Parliament.
Mani alleged that, in 2015, while working as an assistant adviser to then speaker of NSW Parliament, she was sexually abused by a male colleague. She further alleged the party offered little support, that she wasn’t believed, and that one female party member said her complaints were unlikely to lead anywhere.
She complained to the party in 2018 and went public with her allegations in 2019. But she wasn’t acknowledged by Berejiklian when announcing the review into ministerial offices, or by Morrison when acknowledging the bullying and sexual harassment of staffers in Parliament in February (which Mani wasn’t invited to attend), as recommended by sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins.
Mani said she felt the apology had been whitewashed — a chronic and historic issue at the centre of the Me Too movement.
After being rebuffed, ignored and excluded from key events, for Mani, being acknowledged in Parliament was momentous. She was also thanked by NSW Labor leader Chris Minns and Greens member Jenny Leong.
“I never felt more invisible and erased as a woman of colour who had to work harder than most to gain opportunities in politics,” Mani told Crikey.
“That I made my complaint in 2018 and am only being acknowledged today says a great deal about how minority-identifying people and women of colour are treated by the media and by politics.
“Marginalised people have been excluded from the feminist discourse around this moment in time. I hope this signifies the start of a long and ongoing conversation about empowering minorities to be decision-makers and agents of change.”
*This article has been updated to correct Jenny Leong’s political party.
Unless I am mistaken, Amber, I don’t think that Jenny Leong has left The Greens and joined the ranks of NSW Labor just yet!
Last time I looked she was my local Greens MLA
Not entirely on topic – but eventhough I have issues with Perrotet’s ideological belief system and his reported “bungling” of certain issues during his tenure as treasurer, he does seem interested in actual governing? It just seems relatively novel these days.
It’s possible to disagree strongly with someone’s moral and ideological framework but recognise and respect it as internally consistent and genuine, from their governing position. This actually makes consensual policy consensus and mutual, problem-solving compromise a much more viable prospect, than when you’re dealing with a slippery ideological opportunist, such as a Scott Morrison. I’d prefer to deal with a Damian Perrottet or an Adam Bandt – I think an Albo, too (we shall see) – ahead of a Dan Andrews or an Anna Palaczszuk, I reckon. Controversial, I know. But you know where you stand with a conviction polly, and they are serious about, yes, joined-up governance. It’s the expedient weathervanes you want to watch…!
Totally agree Jack – no idea why you got voted down.
Some years ago I attended a NSW State Parliament Question Time & was dismayed by the behaviour, general rabble & mood in the Legislative Assembly chamber. At the time I wondered how much worse it may be behind the scenes where the public was not privy.Now we have had a glimpse.
Incidentally, my experience of the Victorian Legislative Assembly was even more woeful.
It’s a good start.
Why so many articles on Dom and none on Dan.