Nats set to review work rules

The National Party will review its workplace practices following the Jami-Lee Ross saga, leader Simon Bridges says.

The ongoing revelations from the last week’s chaos included an admission from former National Party whip Ross that he had a sexual relationship with another MP and an employee of the National Party’s parliamentary offices, and a Newsroom story alleging these relationships became toxic – and that two other women had felt harassed.

Bridges said he didn’t believe there was a ‘‘culture issue’’ within the party, but it would seek independent advice on whether its current systems for dealing with such matters when complainants came forward were up to scratch.

‘‘I don’t think that there is a cultural issue that is displayed here, but the reality is there are several women who were affected by what has happened, and I want to make sure we want to get it the best we can,’’ Bridges said. ‘‘I’m going to make sure that I talk to Parliamentary Service this week to make sure women feel absolutely safe in the workplace, they feel they can confidentially come forward, and I also want to make sure that we are doing the same within the party for volunteers, candidates, and staff.

‘‘We are getting independent advice to make sure we have the best systems and processes so women do feel safe and they do feel confident.’’

It was unlikely the results of this review would be made public.

Bridges said the party was providing ‘‘appropriate support for the women involved’’.

Bridges did not rule out using the waka-jumping law to boot Ross out of Parliament, but he said it was very unlikely. Ross has refused to resign as an MP and is now in mental health care.

‘‘I think it is incredibly unlikely that we will use it while he is unwell,’’ Bridges said.

Bridges had talked to deputy leader Paula Bennett about her comments last Tuesday concerning Ross’ ‘‘inappropriate behaviour for a married MP,’’ saying it was clear the party had not acted ‘‘perfectly’’ in the past week.

He said he was not aware of Ross being put into mental health care until after the event, despite the National Party putting out a press statement on the matter.

Ross has admitted to the affairs but disputes some details from the Newsroom story.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the system still had a ‘‘long way to go’’ to properly look after the mental health of MPs and political staff. ‘‘I talk a lot about trying to do politics differently. We have stayed out of what has happened in the past week because of that belief, but we have a long way to go.’’