Yes, the culture in Parliament House is appalling. But there are systemic problems that also need urgent reform Editors' Picks Since news broke last week of Brittany Higgins’ alleged rape in a ministerial office in 2019, three other women have come forward, alleging sexual assault
Third woman alleges sexual assault by same man as Brittany Higgins February 22, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Federal A third woman has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the same man accused of assaulting former ministerial staffer Brittany Higgins at Parliament House
Twilight world of staffers makes for toxic, taxpayer-funded workplaces February 17, 2021 By Bernard Keane Career Matters The extraordinarily privileged position that the major political parties occupy in industrial relations in Australia is rarely commented upon, mostly because the parties prefer it
PM&C official to review complaints process following sexual assault allegations February 16, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Culture Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet deputy secretary Stephanie Foster will review processes for workplace complaints at Parliament House in response to allegations that
Is Canberra having a #metoo moment? It will take more than reports of MPs behaving badly for parliament to change November 11, 2020 By Marija Taflaga Australian Capital Territory Sex and politics is a well-established theme of political life. Often the debate comes back to whether or not politicians deserve private lives. The short
Coronavirus prompts changes to hearings, access at Parliament House March 17, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Access to Canberra’s Parliament House will be temporarily restricted in a bid to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Speaker of the House of Representatives
Security problems surround the Commonwealth's agencies May 17, 2018 By Stephen Easton Editors' Picks The federal government is facing multiple problems with its own security, including alarming claims from Parliament House whistleblowers just in time for Senate estimates. The
These unprotected staffers don't have an HR dept to turn to February 14, 2018 By Sean Sammon Career Advice With the media cycle being dominated by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and his relationship with his former media adviser, I attended an event which
Elected latte-sippers roast DPS over Australia's most politically connected cafe February 28, 2017 By Stephen Easton News The Department of Parliamentary Services has again found itself the centre of controversy at Senate estimates, demonstrating how easy it is to get caught in
How the Senate cut 40% off its workers' comp premium May 27, 2015 By Stephen Easton News It is often said that the cost of workers’ comp premiums are a sore spot for the heads of many Canberra-based departments, agencies and taxpayer-funded
Carol Mills responds: ‘what went wrong at the Parliament House job?’ May 13, 2015 By Harley Dennett News Former departmental secretary Carol Mills has mounted a strong defence of the contribution made by the Department of Parliamentary Services, warning that her successors will face the
Chief scientist: future depends on science, IT, engineering, maths September 2, 2014 By Stephen Easton News It’s time Australia took science more seriously to secure the country’s future, remain internationally competitive and play a part in global affairs, according to the nation’s chief