Illawarra federal MPs feel "shocked" and "ashamed" at the culture within Parliament House after a young political staffer spoke out last week alleging she was raped inside a minister's office.
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Cunningham MP Sharon Bird acknowledged how "brave" it was for Brittany Higgins to tell the story of her alleged sexual assault by a male colleague in defence industry minister Linda Reynold's office on March 22, 2019.
Mrs Bird said there was clear "problems with the culture" of Parliament House that needed to be addressed given Ms Higgins felt she could not pursue an allegation of sexual assault, fearing it would affect her job and career.
"This is unacceptable," Mrs Bird said.
"We need to have an independent, at-arms-length from government review of all the issues including the complaints processes and support services.
"We have heard previous reports of sexual harassment in this workplace and now we have this [alleged] incident. Enough is enough.
"We seriously need to commit to make sure we have done all we can so women feel safe and welcome and can fully participate in Parliament.
"It shouldn't take any more details to come out. We have enough information now about the issues around the culture in this place, particularly for women.
"It must be addressed. There is absolutely no excuse not to take action now."
Mrs Bird would like to see the review investigate the complaints process to ensure people are able to make a report without fearing they will lose their employment as well as to ensure there is support and counselling available for those who make a formal complaint and those who don't.
"We need to make sure people who make complaints aren't left feeling alone, as Brittany described," she said.
"If the review is honest and independent then that will send a message that any harassment or any criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.
"MPs, support staff and staff of MPs need to be heard if they want to be speak in the review.
"In workplaces, every single person needs to feel safe and if something does happen then they can't be in fear that their workplace won't address their complaint.
"We need a culture that respects and supports all people who work here.
"Harassment and assault is unacceptable in any workplace and especially in the Parliament of our nation."
Whitlam MP Stephen Jones said there needed to be "concrete changes" in the culture of Parliament.
He said he had a "zero tolerance" for any harassment in his office and despite the "adversarial nature of politics that had a robust and aggressive culture" there was "no excuse for this sort of behaviour".
Mr Jones questioned how anyone could be shocked that there was a lack of respect for women in Parliament when there had been "horrific examples" of the way female leaders were treated by opposing parties and the media.
He said he didn't want to see any more criminal laws imposed, as they already existed, but supported a review of Parliament processes.
"We need to ensure people who make a complaint are treated seriously and that the power structures in place don't act as an impediment to people coming forward to make a complaint."
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson, who has introduced a bill to criminalise coercive control to state Parliament, said it was "unacceptable" that assaults occurred in any workplace.
She said she had never experienced any harassment in state Parliament but that was not to say it did not happen.
"Maybe there needs to be more ethics training, refreshers or harsher penalties," Ms Watson said.
"Education is probably key to stamping out the behaviour and to make women feel they can come forward and will be supported."
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