A support service for staff and Parliamentarians who work in Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces has been established, along with new independent workplace complaints mechanisms.
Minister for Finance, Senator Simon Birmingham said the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) was a key recommendation of the Review of the Parliamentary Workplace: Responding to Serious Incidents, conducted by Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Stephanie Foster.
Senator Birmingham said the PWSS would provide support to staff and Parliamentarians impacted by serious incidents or patterns of behaviour in the workplace that caused serious harm, such as bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
“The PWSS will be able to review complaints made about serious Parliamentary workplace incidents which are alleged to have occurred since the start of this Parliamentary term, and will be overseen by Parliamentary Service Commissioner Mr Peter Woolcott AO, to ensure its independence and confidentiality,” Senator Birmingham said.
“This Service is in addition to work already completed to establish an independent, confidential, trauma-informed Parliamentary support line as well as the rollout this week of workplace safety and respect training for staff and Parliamentarians,” he said.
“These measures were immediate priorities the Foster Review recommended be implemented ahead of the completion of the Independent Review of Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces being undertaken by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.”
Senator Birmingham said the PWSS would provide immediate advice and ongoing trauma-informed support; receive reports of serious incidents; appoint independent experts to conduct workplace reviews into complaints of serious incidents; and facilitate referrals to appropriate authorities, such as the police or other specialised support services.
The Minister said the Support Service would be staffed by trained counsellors and case coordinators and would be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Further information on the PWSS can be accessed at this PS News link.
