Broderick Report displays NSW Parliament’s toxic workplace

By TILEAH DOBSON

NSW parliament has been hit with allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct following the release of the Broderick Report.

Conducted by former sex discrimination commissioner, Elizabeth Broderick, the report has highlighted what NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has described as “toxic” in the workplace culture of NSW parliament house.

Claims of rape or attempted rape were made by five people, while one in three respondents have said they’ve experienced sexual harassment or bullying within the last five years alone, according to the Broderick Report.

Further findings have stated that 52 per cent of bullying incidents were allegedly committed by members of parliament. It was highlighted that certain offices were “well-known hotspots” where harmful incidents occurred. Along with the high staff turnover rates, this caused a negative work environment and had a severe impact on people.

46 per cent of female MPs were also more likely to have experienced and report sexual harassment within the past five years. The report also states that almost half of the sexual harassment incidents happened in NSW Parliament House, while the rest had occurred in electorate offices, work travel, online and social functions.

67 per cent of sexual harassment cases were done by someone in a senior position, while 85 per cent of the time, the perpetrator was male.

The report found that most participants had acknowledged the “unequal distribution of power as a key driving factor both in problematic cultural dynamics and in the patterns of harmful behaviours.”

These disturbing findings have exhibited that “parliamentary workplaces have not been safe, inclusive or welcoming,” according to the report.

The report has instilled an image of a sexist, elitist, out-of-control parliament with elected MPs enjoying bullying staff members.

This kind of picture painted further damages the state government, which is already trying to put out the fires of scandal, after the resignation of deputy leader of NSW Liberal Party Stuart Ayres and the ongoing inquiry into former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro’s appointment as senior trade and investment commissioner to the US.

Perrottet has commented on the report’s findings as “sobering, confronting and completely unacceptable.”

“Clearly, we have a culture in the NSW parliament that over time has become, in many instances, toxic and is wrong,” 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?”

MPs Comment on Broderick Report

Independent MP Alex Greenwich has said the report has uncovered the unacceptable behaviour and unsafe workplace at NSW Parliament.

“The Independent Review of Bullying, Sexual Harassment & Sexual Misconduct in NSW Parliament is confronting and must lead to changes to make parliament a safe workplace. The experience of women and LGBTIQA+ staff is harrowing, we should set the standard, not be beyond the pale,” he said.

“As the only LGBT person sitting in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Greenwich said the major parties and parliament must do more to improve diversity and safety in the NSW Parliament.”

 “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.”

Greens MP Jenny Leong was not surprised by the findings and says the “toxic and aggressive ‘boys club’ style of politics needs to change.”

“Parliament is a toxic, sexist and at many times unsafe workplace – nobody inside the institution needed this report to know this,” she said.

“This is a powerful and pivotal report that has lifted the lid on the toxic, unsafe and sexist culture in NSW Parliamentary workplaces. It exposes the failures of those in power and those responsible, who are directly complicit.”

Leong has voiced her co-operation and commitment to the changes needed and outlined by the Broderick Report.

“I am committed to working with all the men in leadership positions – because let’s be frank, they pretty much all are – to ensure the Framework for Action set out by the Broderick Team is implemented,” she said.

Both Greenwich and Leong see this report as a chance to change NSW Parliament’s workplace culture for the better.

“I thank everybody who participated in the review and for some who no doubt had to relive their traumatic experiences. Because of their courage, we can move towards a positive change at NSW Parliament,” Greenwich said.

“Everyone deserves to be safe at work, at home, and in public. We owe it to everyone who works in our parliamentary workplaces now, and everyone who will in the future, to end this toxic culture,” Leong said.