Australian Women in Politics Have Called For a Code of Conduct in Parliament

Trigger warning: this article discusses sexual assault and sexual harassment.

On Thursday, women from across Australia’s political spectrum attended a summit run by the ANU’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and founded by Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard, to examine the underrepresentation of women in leadership and politics.

At the summit, women and federal MPs across the board called for parliament to indite a code of conduct for women in parliament, to make it a safer and more equal place to work.

The calls come just a few months after the federal government came under fire for several horrific revelations and allegations on the treatment of women in parliament and politics, including allegants made by former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins.

Higgins publicly claimed that she was raped at Parliament House in Defense Minister Linda Reynolds' ministerial office by a colleague in March 2019. 

Looking forward to joining today’s panel to talk about creating a workplace where women can thrive with the fabulous @larissawaters @helenhainesindi @SharmanStone & Dr Anne Aly at @GIWLANU. Registration free, you can join online #auspol https://t.co/eBgN6f5Mec

— Marianna O'Gorman (@ogormanmarianna) July 14, 2021

It was also revealed that a letter was sent to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and other senators accusing (at the time) Attorney General Christian Porter of an alleged rape that occurred in 1988, when the complainant was just 16.

On top of this were several other claims of misconduct and sexual harassment in parliament or between staffers.

During this time, a Sydney woman also launched an online petition that found over 2,000 Australian school students had experienced sexual assault, and called for sexual consent education to be at the forefront of educational issues in schools.

These occurrences as well as many others globally encouraged the Women’s March 4 Justice in March this year, where thousands of women and allies took to their capital cities to protest the violence and sexual assault against women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of colour, and called for equality, justice, respect and fairness in Australia’s society.

The panels have ended but the experts have congregated to draft a model Code of Conduct for the Australian Parliament. @CaitFigueiredo @c_s_wallace @sonia_palmieri @GIWLANU @MarnieMatilda @kerryn_baker @mariamaley4 @MarianSawer among others.#GenderEqualParliament pic.twitter.com/jyZAWViEyu

— Dr Blair Williams🏳️‍🌈♀️ (@BlairWilliams26) July 16, 2021

Labor MP Anne Aly spoke on the “legacy of misogyny” in Australia’s parliament.

“While we have increased the number of women in parliament, it’s not enough, it’s not the end game, we still have so much further to go," she said. 

“It is still a boys club. Having more women is going to change that but the culture needs to change.”

Greens Senator Larissa Waters also spoke at the summit, describing parliament culture as “a bit of a toxic boys club.”

"Those in power are often pale, male and stale and there are not enough women at the decision making table," she said. 

“This year has really exposed the massive sexist underbelly of parliamentary work.

“We need a code of conduct that applies to all parliamentarians and their senior staff that addresses not just sexual harassment and bullying [but] the full gambit of expectations that the public have.” 

Yes, a code of conduct is certainly required in parliament, but also needed is an independent corruption commission to ensure legal issues are addressed. Both will improve opportunities & rights towards a #GenderEqualParliament #auspol #FederalICAC

— Dr Angelika Heurich (@AngelikaHeurich) July 15, 2021

She also went on to say that she believed there are current systemic structures at play, keeping the poor standards for the treatment of women in place.

Many other MPs noted that women are tremendously underrepresented in parliament, with 86 women in the lower and upper houses compared to 141 men, as well as women making up the majority of marginal, unsafe seats.

They are not just calling to end the poor treatment of women in the workplace, but to encourage more representation, opportunity, and access to women in parliamentary roles.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that following the accusations made earlier this year, the federal parliament will be introducing a one-hour, optional training session on sexual assault, bullying and harassment in September.

Understandably, this news was met with huge backlash.

Countless people coming forward with allegations of assault and misconduct. Protests across the country. Attempt after attempt to investigate the alleged abuser.
And then the Government decides that an optional, one-hour training session is what the country was demanding.

— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) July 15, 2021

What a joke. One hour only and optional. https://t.co/kfVhCg8LhA

— Virginia Gordon (@chatsbury) July 14, 2021

The findings from the two-day summit will be formally submitted to the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.

We’ll keep you updated on the progress of these claims, and if a code of conduct is enacted.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

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Header Image: Aditya Joshi via Unsplash