MP declares ‘ego and alcohol’ a toxic blend in federal parliament
The behaviour of parliamentarians towards their female colleagues is under intense scrutiny in the wake of the confronting Jenkins report.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces revealed over a third of parliamentary staffers have experienced bullying, and a third have experienced sexual harassment.
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon admitted to Deborah Knight “we all, collectively, have to do much better,” but stressed not every man in parliament is guilty.
“I think there are two major causes – the first is ego … the second is alcohol.
“I believe the parliament should be sitting very different hours.”
Pressed by Deborah on when action would be taken, cabinet minister Angus Taylor said the report’s recommendations need to be urgently addressed.
“It needs to be happening right now, right away.”
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