On Friday she met Mr Morrison to outlinechanges she wants to the employment law covering staffers,known as the MoP(S) Act,and to advocate for an independent body to handle complaints relating to political workplaces and act as a “one-stop-shop” for human resources information.
Specifically,she wants the power removed for politicians to sack staffers on the spot or on the basis the MP or senator has lost trust or confidence in them – a clause she says is far too vague.
She told Mr Morrison she was driven by the desire to make sure “no other person would have to go through the trauma that I experienced” as a political staffer.
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“For too long the culture of silence has allowed workplace bullying,harassment and other inappropriate conduct to go unchecked,” she told Mr Morrison.
Political advisers had very few protections or ways to address any workplace issues and that,combined with the high-pressure environment,had led too often to a toxic workplace culture,she said.
“It is my hope that this national discussion will translate into meaningful reform to ensure that this sort of behaviour is no longer tolerated. Cultural change is only achieved when we stand up and say ‘enough is enough’.”