15:23
Morning all. When parliament sits at midday, the presiding officers in each chambers will ship a press release of acknowledgement about deficiencies (to place the issue diplomatically) within the office tradition at Parliament Home.
This implements one of many suggestions of the Jenkins evaluation. (Australia’s intercourse discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins ran an inquiry final 12 months into office tradition triggered by allegations raised by the previous Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.)
As we speak’s assertion is a public apology to individuals who have endured bullying, harassment or worse whereas working for the commonwealth. In addition to the formal acknowledgment, immediately’s assertion will define subsequent steps in reform.
After the presiding officers have delivered the assertion, occasion leaders will converse. Once I checked in with Higgins yesterday, she had not seen the wording of immediately’s assertion.
As I reported yesterday on the weblog, former staffers who’ve led the push for change are additionally upset that the closure of the constructing to the general public will stop them attending immediately’s assertion. The federal government says provision can be made for some guests.
(Tory right here, rudely busting into Murphy’s piece – there’s some chatter round this morning that the impolite oversight can be rectified. I’ll let you recognize as quickly as I do).
Up to date