MPs fail to take test

Online course to stop sexual harassment ignored for four years

NONE of Australia’s politicians have completed a major training course designed to stamp out sexual harassment in Parliament.

News Corp Australia can reveal the online course, targeted specifically at MPs and senators, has been available for four years but not accessed by a single parliamentarian.

The training was created as part of the Commonwealth’s settlement with staffer James Ashby in his sexual harassment claim against former speaker Peter Slipper.

Documents obtained by News Corp Australia also show face-to-face sessions on sexual harassment held in the wake of the scandal were attended by just 13 parliamentarians.

Several high-profile politicians in the UK and the US have been hit by sexual harassment allegations amid a global movement sparked by revelations about Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein.

Robert Doyle was also forced to resign as Melbourne’s lord mayor after he was found to have sexually harassed two women.

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins hit out at the failure of federal MPs to complete the training, saying it was an important part of preventing workplace sexual harassment.

“I strongly encourage all workplaces to not only implement a sexual harassment policy but also to implement training to ensure that workers are made aware of this policy and their rights and obligations in relation to sexual harassment,” Ms Jenkins said.

Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault spokeswoman Carolyn Worth said it was “appalling” that MPs had not bothered to do the training.

A new course is being rolled out to all MPs this month and Ms Worth said it should be compulsory to complete.

“It’s important they set an example,” she said.

“Training forces you to slow down for 20 minutes and think about your behaviour.”