The Australian Human Rights Commission is calling for contributions to its Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins said the Commission would conduct confidential interviews and was accepting written contributions from groups covered by the Review’s Terms of Reference until 31 July.
“The Commission is encouraging anyone who works or has previously worked in a Commonwealth parliamentary workplace to participate in the Review,” Commissioner Jenkins said.
“This doesn’t just mean politicians and their staff, though we obviously encourage them to contribute,” she said.
“We want to hear from anyone who works within the Parliament or electorate offices, in any role.”
Commissioner Jenkins said the Review aimed to ensure all Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces were safe and respectful and that the national Parliament reflected best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
“On any given sitting day, more than 3,500 people work in Parliament House, from Department of Parliamentary Services employees and Press Gallery journalists to security guards and COMCAR drivers,” the Commissioner said.
“We are hoping to hear from all these workers and encourage them to share their experiences of the culture within Parliamentary workplaces; we encourage people to share both positive and negative experiences.”
She said all information gathered through interviews and written submissions would be used in a de-identified manner and treated as confidential.
Commissioner Jenkins said that under legislation passed earlier this month, contributions to the Review would remain confidential and exempt from freedom of information (FOI) requests.
“Allowing individuals to participate with full confidence that they will be supported, and their privacy protected,” she said.
Commissioner Jenkins said the Review would also consider the risk factors of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault for workers in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces and awareness of relevant Parliament of Australia policies.
Further information on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Review, including how to make a submission, can be accessed at this PS News link.
