Allegations of sexual assault, harassment and bullying have been uncovered in a landmark investigation into the workplace culture at NSW's parliament house.
One in three respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment or bullying in the past five years, according to the review conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick.
The report found 52 per cent of bullying incidents were allegedly perpetrated by members of parliament.
Two per cent of workers indicated they had experienced actual or attempted sexual assault and almost 10 per cent said they had heard about or witnessed at least one sexual assault.
"Both women and men reported experiences of actual or attempted sexual assault," the report found.
The NSW Parliamentary Executive Group announced the engagement of Ms Broderick to lead the independent review in July last year.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the culture in parliament had become "toxic" in many instances and the report demonstrated the need for change.
"It is sobering, confronting and unacceptable," he said.
"Every workplace across our state should be free from harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault but this is not the case in the NSW parliament.
"If parliamentarians cannot lead and provide an environment where the workplace is safe, what hope do we have for other workplaces across our great state?"
Almost 450 people, representing 27.7 per cent of all NSW parliamentary workers, participated in the review.
There were more than 100 one-on-one interviews, seven confidential group listening sessions, and 58 confidential written submissions.
The review found bullying was significant across parliamentary workplaces, describing it as "systemic" and "multi-directional".
Workers have low confidence in structural or cultural protections to prevent bullying or to stop it once it occurs, the report said.
Some offices were described as "well-known hotspots" characterised by high rates of staff turnover related to harmful behaviours.
About half of the reported incidents occurred at parliament house with the remainder occurring at electorate offices, during work-related travel, at work-related social functions and online.
Alcohol was considered to be a contributory factor.
Mr Perrottet said the report only marked the beginning of cultural reform in the NSW parliament and pledged to follow through on its recommendations.
These include strengthening internal policies and codes of conduct, reducing alcohol use, boosting support services and monitoring those "well-known hotspots" for bullying.
"Today, change will happen. This report will not be the end. This report will be the beginning," he said.
Minister for Women and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor told MPs and parliamentary staff they need to set the example for behaviour in the parliament.
"For those particular people that may be reading this report today, you know who you are, and my very strong advice to you is that you do not belong in the Parliament of NSW," she said.
"I ask you to think very long and hard about this, and I ask you to make sure that if this is you that is mentioned, get the help that you need and please leave the NSW parliament."
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said the review "paints a really dark picture" for all sides of politics.
"We all need to do better, reach across the aisle, and make sure that we're making every possible effort to make the NSW parliament a safe workplace."
He said the report showed there was no real avenue for people to make complaints in the workplace and he supports calls for an independent complaint process to deal with allegations against politicians, MPs and ministerial staff.
"[Currently the] only avenue is to make a complaint to somebody, potentially from the same political party, who has an in-built apprehended bias, a perceived bias or actual bias."
Independent MP Alex Greenwich said the report painted an unacceptable and unsafe workplace at NSW parliament.
"The experience of women and LGBTIQA+ staff is harrowing, we should set the standard, not be beyond the pale," Mr Greenwich said.
"Workplaces that welcome and support LGBTIQA+ staff are safer workplaces for everyone, and the NSW parliament has a lot of work to do in this regard."
The review said ministerial offices were "unique workplaces", where staff were under intense public scrutiny and employment protections for ministers were "vastly greater" than those of their staff.
