Mr Morrison also thanked Ms Higgins for speaking publicly about her alleged rape in a ministerial office.

“I want to thank Brittany Higgins for her courage and when speaking up about these issues,in relation to the terrible events that led her to make those statements,” Mr Morrison said.

He said that his remarks were limited by the ongoing court case in which the defendant is pleading “not guilty”.

“[Brittany Higgins’] voice has spoken for many as this report shows,and the concerns and experiences that they have had in so many occupations working here in this building,so I thank her for that,” Mr Morrison said.

He said that the building was safer than when Ms Higgins worked in Parliament,but that there was still much more work to do. Mr Morrison said there was appalling behaviour,power imbalances and unhealthy behaviour in politics that needed to be addressed.

Politicians and staffers have been doing respectful workplaces training and a new serious incident response team has been set up to triage complaints about sexual harassment,assault and bullying in politicians’ offices,as recommended in a separate review by senior Prime Minister and Cabinet bureaucrat Stephanie Foster.

This week,both chambers agreed to set up public registers showing which MPs have completed the training and when.

The report contained a number of anonymous accounts of their experience of sexual harassment and bullying within parliamentary offices.

“I was sexually harassed multiple times,sexually assaulted,bullied and terrorised. And I was told that if I ever sought help or spoke about what happened to me my professional reputation and personal life would be destroyed,” one person said.

Another described working in Parliament House as going on a school camp in year nine with naughty schoolboys who “think everyone’s fair game”.

“I do often describe Parliament House as the most sexist place I’ve worked. I guess there is a workplace culture of drinking. There’s not a lot of accountability. The boys are lads. And that behaviour is celebrated and … they do treat women,our female staffers and female admin staff,quite differently. Young women,particularly media advisers coming in,particularly the younger women coming in,were like fresh meat and challenges,” one person said.

Others said the culture made it harder for them to feel welcome.

“[There was] a clear indication given to me by my colleagues,peers and managers that I don’t belong here and that this isn’t a (physically or psychologically) safe space for me,being a young woman of colour,” one person from a parliamentary department said.

Marise Payne,the Minister for Women,says it is unacceptable for the culture in Parliament to strip idealistic young employees of their dreams as a result of harassment,bullying and assault.

“One striking observation[from the Jenkins’ report] is that people are rightfully proud that we’re working in the federal parliament,” Senator Payne said.

“They come here because they want to make a difference.

“It’s deeply disappointing that if anyone arrives here inspired only… to become disillusioned because of the treatment they experienced by others,then that is not only terrible for them.”