Information - Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces

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What is the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces about?

The aim of the Independent Review is to ensure that all those who work in the Australian Parliament are treated with dignity and respect, have a safe and respectful workplace, and can access clear and effective policies and procedures to prevent and address workplace conflict, and appropriate supports.

Who will be conducting this Review?

The Review will be conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission), led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody. The Commission is an independent statutory authority whose independence is enshrined under the Australia Human Rights Commission Act (1986).

How independent is the Review?

The Review is being conducted by the Australian Human Rights Commission independently and at arms-length of Government.

When will the Review begin?

The Review is currently being established, and the Commission is seeking approval from an independent human research ethics committee to ensure that participation is safe, victim/survivor-centred and trauma-informed. Details of how to make a written submission or participate in a confidential interview with the Review team will be available on this page soon.

What do you mean by parliamentary workplaces?

The aim of the Review is to ensure all Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces are safe and respectful and that our national Parliament reflects best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault. 

While not defined, the term parliamentary workplace has regard to the locations in which parliamentarians work and encompasses

• Persons employed by a Member or Senator under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984
• Staff employed by the Parliamentary Departments under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999
• Staff engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 who work in Parliament House
• Volunteers and interns working with parliamentarians.

 

Who will be able to participate in the Review?

The Review is open to current and former Commonwealth parliamentarians, current and former staff of parliamentarians, all current and former staff working within Parliament House, and current and former staff employed in the electorate offices of Commonwealth parliamentarians. This includes volunteers and interns.

How will I be able to participate in the Review?

You can participate in one of two ways:

• Making a written submission via the Commission’s website
• Participating in a confidential interview with Review staff

When can I make a submission to the Review?

The Commission will invite written submissions to the Review via our website in the coming days. These submissions will not be reviewed until ethics committee approval has been obtained.

I want to participate in a confidential interview. How can I do that?

The Review team will begin conducting interviews following the establishment of the Review and once ethics approval has been provided by an independent human research ethics committee to ensure that our processes are safe, victim-centred and trauma-informed. Further information on when interviews will be conducted and how to make an appointment will be available at a later date.

How can I stay up to date about the Review’s progress?

Updates on the Review will be published on the Commission website. You can register your interest in the Review at CPWReview@humanrights.gov.au.

How will you keep my information confidential? Will any information I share with the Review be made public or subject to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act?

The Archives and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Cth) provides additional protections to ensure confidentiality. The bill has passed both Houses of Federal Parliament and will commence the day after Royal Assent. This bill provides participants in the Review with assurance that any submissions they make to the Review will be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and will not come into an open access period under the Archives Act 1983 (Cth) for 99 years. 

Further information regarding the personal information handling practices of the Commission is available on the Commission's website, specifically in the Privacy Policy.

Will the Review’s findings be made public?

Yes. The findings and recommendations of the Review will be published in a report tabled in Parliament in November 2021 and available on the Commission’s website at that time.

Can I make a report about sexual harassment or sexual assault to the Review?

The Commission will not be investigating nor making findings about individual allegations of bullying, sexual harassment or sexual assault as part of the Review. 

People who wish to report a criminal offence should contact 000 or police services in their jurisdiction.

For reports of sexual harassment or bullying, please contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or the Commission’s National Information Service for advice about making a complaint. 

Will the Review investigate allegations against individual people?

The Commission will not be investigating nor making findings about individual allegations of bullying, sexual harassment or sexual assault as part of the Review. 

Where do I go if need support?

The free Parliamentary Support Line, 1800 APH SPT or 1800 274 778, provides access to confidential trauma-informed counselling services for people who have experienced a serious incident in a Commonwealth parliamentary workplace.

As well as counselling, the service can provide supported referrals to other specialist services, and assistance in determining pathways to progress complaints.

Further information on the Support Line and other support is available on the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services website.  

 

Other services:

1800 Respect

A 24/7 confidential counselling, information and support for people impacted by sexual assault or family or domestic violence. Phone 1800 RESPECT or 1800 737 732 or visit 1800Respect online counselling.

MensLine

A professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Phone 1300 789 978 or visit MensLine online counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sexual assault support services

Details for sexual assault support services in each state and territory can be found here.