PM admits failure to tackle sexism
AUSTRALIA’S Prime Minister Scott Morrison has admitted to his government’s failings on tackling sexism, local media reported yesterday, after allegations of rape, sexual harassment, bullying and misogyny since late February rocked the government.
Morrison recently faced criticism over the handling of the rape allegation against a former staffer and the historical rape allegation denied by Attorney-General Christian Porter.
Thousands of women rallied in cities across the country in recent weeks, angered by the government’s handling of rape allegations in Parliament House, and its refusal to hold an inquiry into separate claims the attorney-general sexually assaulted a woman he met at a school debating event over 30 years ago.
Gender equality advocates had hoped that the high-profile cases will force Australia to a turning point where it takes serious steps to tackle sexual harassment – a stain that bleeds well beyond political life and hampers
participation of women across various spheres of society, including the corporate world. By one estimate, workplace sexual harassment costs the Australian economy some A$3.5 billion (R52 billion) a year, based on figures from Deloitte Access Economics for 2018.
In an address to 400 government staff, Morrison acknowledged that some staff had “put up with some absolute rubbish”.
In his speech to staffers, audio of which was published by Nine Entertainment newspapers yesterday, Morrison flagged significant changes to the Parliament’s workplace culture.
“This has been a traumatic month, that is true, but for many here it has been a traumatic lifetime,” he said. “So we will get on and address this. We will get on and make these changes. I ask you to work with us as we do that.”
Deputy PM Michael McCormack apologised three times in a five-minute address during the meeting, which took place on Tuesday.
Yesterday David Littleproud, the Minister for Agriculture, said government employees were hurting.
“There’s a lot of hurt. My staff are hurt,” he told Sky News. “You can’t live and work in an environment like this and not be disappointed. They feel let down, and we get that, for that we’re sorry.”
Porter and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds have taken medical leave and are likely to be demoted within days. One staffer has been already fired amid the crisis.