A South Australian judge is being investigated by the Judicial Conduct Commissioner over an allegation of sexual harassment.
The ABC is unable to name the judge involved, or detail the allegations, for legal reasons.
But Commissioner Michael Boylan KC has granted the ABC permission to publish the fact he has received a complaint "about the conduct of a serving judge".
"The complaint is about alleged sexual harassment," he said in a statement.
"I am now conducting a preliminary examination of the complaint.
"That examination is in its early stages, and it is inappropriate for me to say anything further about it now."
State Courts Administrator Penny Croser said the wellbeing of staff was a priority and measures were in place to ensure employees felt safe to raise matters of concern.
She said staff would be supported.
Previous allegations against judicial officers
South Australian magistrate Simon Milazzo was removed from his office in November over allegations of sexual harassment.
A report by a judicial conduct panel tabled in state parliament found the former magistrate engaged in inappropriate behaviour with sexual connotations relating to four court staff over years.
The 68-year-old was suspended with pay for over a year while the allegations were investigated.
He denied he had committed any improper conduct by way of sexual harassment.
The complaint came to light during a survey conducted as part of a review into sexual harassment within the South Australian legal profession two years ago.
The review, by acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner Steph Halliday, found the legal profession had a "patriarchal and hierarchical culture" and that a "lack of diversity" and "deeply entrenched gender bias" were some drivers of harassment.
About 42 per cent of 600 respondents reported they had experienced sexual or discriminatory harassment at work, one-third of whom experienced it more than once.
Current commissioner Jodeen Carney said the legal profession response to the report had been "focused and impressive, and a number of initiatives have demonstrated a determination to 'turn the ship around".
"The findings of the Judicial Conduct Panel late last year in a case of sexual harassment by a judicial officer as a result of complainants contacting my office continues to send a strong message to those who are sexually harassed and to those who harass them — namely, regardless of who you are, or what position you hold, sexual harassment is unlawful, unacceptable, and consequences will flow for those who perpetrate it," Ms Carney said.
"I encourage anyone who is subjected to sexual harassment or other discriminatory conduct to make reports using the various complaint pathways and support services available, including complaints to my office."
Safer environment fostered
Adelaide barrister Claire O'Connor SC — who is outspoken about sexism and harassment in the profession — said the courts had come a long way to change the way associates and other staff were appointed and educated in order to foster a safer environment.
She said the changes were sparked by the Equal Opportunity inquiry.
Ms O'Connor said the profession had not stamped out systemic sexual harassment issues, but staff were now educated about what behaviour was considered inappropriate.
The issue of sexual harassment in the Australian judiciary was given prominence after the high-profile investigation into former High Court justice Dyson Heydon.
An independent investigation by Vivienene Thom commissioned by the court found he sexually harassed six former associates.
It prompted an apology from the High Court, and a historic compensation payout to three of the women allegedly sexually harassed by ex-justice Heydon, who has always denied the allegations.
