Media Release – Call for independent review of Parliament workplace culture

Meg Webb | Media Release | March 4, 2021 

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today called for an independent review into the Tasmanian Parliamentary workplace.

“I have written to the Premier Peter Gutwein, Labor Leader Rebecca White and Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor seeking Parliament-wide support for this review in light of disturbing revelations in other interstate parliaments,” Ms Webb said.

“The South Australian Parliament has just tabled its own review, which was commissioned by the South Australian Attorney-General last year.

“The report notes: ‘workplace culture is critical to the prevention of workplace harassment’.”

Ms Webb said she was unaware of information about any harassment or wrong-doing within the current Tasmanian parliamentary workplace.

“However, I strongly believe we need to take a proactive and preventative approach to establish whether or not it is happening now, and to ensure it cannot occur or go undetected in the future.

“There has been shocking and disturbing revelations of alleged criminal behaviour in national and subnational jurisdictions.

“I believe that implementing a review to proactively ‘health check’ the Tasmanian parliamentary workplace for all those who work within it is a responsible course of action.

“We have a duty of care to all the staff working within the parliament, political and electorate offices.

“I believe it would be a gross failure of that duty of care if we were to wait until a complaint is made before we move to evaluate the health of our working culture.

“As parliamentarians, we must demonstrate leadership for the Tasmanians we seek to represent and to be above reproach.

“It would be a strong and positive demonstration of leadership if all three parties represented within the Parliament were to provide tripartite endorsement for a similar but proactive independent workplace review to be conducted.

“It would demonstrate to the community that as their representatives we do not tolerate harassment, sexual or otherwise, we have nothing to hide, and that we are committed to providing a safe workplace for all.”

Ms Webb has also written to the presiding officers of both parliamentary chambers, the Hon. Sue Hickey MP and the Hon. Craig Farrell MLC.