Tasmanian ministerial and parliamentary staff are being subjected to degrading, belittling and abusive behaviour, including exposure of body parts and indecent phone calls, with MPs and managers the worst offenders, a review has found.
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner Sarah Bolt has released a damning report into workplace culture in the Tasmanian ministerial and parliamentary services, describing some of the content as "disturbing".
Of the 318 staff who responded to a confidential survey, 15 per cent had experienced sexual harassment, 40 per cent had experienced bullying and 24 per cent had been discriminated against.
The survey found two-thirds of staff had witnessed discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace.
Women were vastly over-represented among those who have been subjected to poor conduct. Only women reported experiencing requests or pressure for sex.
Examples included women being followed to their accommodation while away for work, receiving sexually explicit comments via Facebook, sexual gestures, exposure of body parts and indecent phone calls.
Of those who reported sexual harassment, 29 per cent cited sexual jokes and intrusive comments and 24 per cent included physical touching. One in three reported a member of parliament as being responsible for the sexual harassment against them.
The survey also found staff had no confidence in the complaints process, with 82 per cent of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the handling of complaints.
Ms Bolt said the response rate was "extremely high" and had exceeded expectations, demonstrating the scale of the problem.
She described the accounts as "consistent, comprehensive, powerful and poignant", and covered all areas of ministerial and parliamentary services.
Premier, opposition join forces over 'confronting' report
Ms Bolt was joined by Premier Jeremy Rockliff, opposition leader Rebecca White, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor and upper house independent MLC Meg Webb, who initiated the review.
Mr Rockliff said the matters in the report "simply must be addressed as an absolute priority".
"My intention is to move for a joint house committee … to act on the recommendations, and I believe that is the best way forward," he said.
"We all have a collective responsibility to get this right.
"The report is very confronting.
"There will be significant change, positive change, and continuous improvement. I'm saddened, frankly, by the trauma that many people have experienced working across ministerial offices and elsewhere."
Ms White said there needed to be a collective effort across parliament for change to occur.
In a joint statement, parliamentary leaders stated it was "essential" to heed recommendations.
These included an audit of governance structure, employment conditions, recruitment processes and pay structure within six months.
The report also called for a centralised and independent human resources unit, and a complaints and reporting framework.
Recommendations included an audit of governance structure, employment conditions, recruitment processes and pay structure within six months.
Question Time setting the tone
The "vitriol" displayed during parliamentary debate – such as Question Time – could be setting the tone for the rest of parliamentary and ministerial behaviour, the report noted.
This included the use of name calling, insensitivity and body language displayed on the floor of parliament, and fears that parliamentary privilege was being used inappropriately and the Integrity Commission was being weaponised.
Such behaviour could be discouraging more women from becoming involved in Tasmanian politics.
Respondents reported having a "sense of helplessness and fear" to make complaints, there was a lack of accountability and consequences for bullying and sexual harassment, and a culture of removing those who complain and "rewarding the bully".
