Media release – Community and Public Sector Union, 24 March 2021
UNIONS WARN AGAINST ‘LAME DUCK’ HARASSMENT INQUIRY
Today, leaders in each house are meeting to discuss Independent MLC Meg Webb’s request to establish an inquiry into workplace culture in the Tasmanian Parliament following daily revelations of a toxic culture in our nation’s capital.
Just yesterday Speaker of the House Sue Hickey revealed that a senior federal Liberal recently commented about former Morrison Government staffer Brittany Higgins’ intoxication in the context of her later alleged rape by a colleague.
Quotes attributable to Thirza White, Secretary CPSU:
“The community is looking to Premier Gutwein to establish an inquiry that is equipped to sensitively and thoroughly examine the workplace culture at Parliament.”
“This inquiry must be led by Equal Opportunity Tasmania, which understands the structural drivers of gendered violence in our workplaces and has the experience and sensitivity to handle an inquiry of this nature.”
“This is not an inquiry that can be led by an individual appointed by the Premier.”
“If we do not establish this inquiry with the right protections then victims and bystanders will not share their stories and we yet again will fail to keep women safe from workplace sexual harassment.”
“The inquiry must guarantee confidentiality and ensure any non-disclosure agreements of past employees will not be breached by participation.”
“Without this there will be no meaningful change to make workplaces safer across our state.”
CPSU, the union which represents staff in courts, legal practice and State Parliament, has also set up a dedicated reporting page for staff who have witnessed or experienced sexual and gendered violence in the workplace.
