Steggall pushes for stronger workplace harrasment rules in Parliament

Warringah MP Zali Steggal has demanded stronger action against bullying, harassment and intimidation in federal Parliament, using the second sitting day to call out what she described as unacceptable behaviour in the House of Representatives.

Steggal put forward an amendment to Standing Order 91 on Wednesday, seeking to clarify the language in the Order to specify that “behaviour that is intimidating, harassing or bullying” is disorderly and therefore eligible for punishment.

Steggall made specific reference to instances in last year’s Parliament, saying the Coalition “had a mob-like attitude of turning, yelling and trying to intimidate me from continuing with my speech.”

“In any other workplace, that would be unlawful conduct,” she said.

In September last year, Steggall accused Nationals leader David Littleproud of threatening her, saying Littleproud had told her to “be careful” during Question Time.

Leader of the house Tony Burke responded to Steggall’s amendment and admitted members of parliament had indeed engaged in behaviour that could be understood as intimidatory, in particular towards members of the crossbench. 

However, Burke said Labor would not support the amendment, but that he would refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Procedure, whose function is to “inquire into and report on the practices and procedures of the House.”

Independent Member for Indi Helen Haines also spoke in support of the amendment, describing it as setting the behavioural standards of Parliament “in alignment with modern workplace culture across Australia”.

The amendment did not pass.