Nationals MP Anne Webster has revealed that she was sexually harassed on the floor of the House of Representatives last week.
Dr Webster, who is the Nationals’ contact person as Parliament grapples with the mistreatment of women in politics and represents the Victorian rural seat of Mallee, said the other MP had apologised.
Dr Anne Webster (right) says she has received an apology from another MP for sexual harassment.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
“I’m satisfied with an apology at this point in time but the point to me is what was deemed OK 50 years ago, 30 years ago, is no longer the case,” Dr Webster said.
“Culture has changed, we need to change culture in Parliament House, as representatives of our wonderful people across Australia, they expect more, and we should be able to deliver more.”
In the wake of rape allegations by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins against another former staffer and the historical claims against Attorney-General Christian Porter, which he has forcefully denied, the Morrison government established a counselling phone number for parliamentary staff.
Dr Webster said she had expected to direct people to the counselling number, not to have to access it herself, when Nationals leader Michael McCormack asked her to lead the party’s engagement with the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s review of workplace culture in Parliament.
Asked about Queensland Liberal MP Andrew Laming, who announced he would not contest the next election after allegations of online bullying and taking a photo of a woman’s bottom at her workplace without permission, Dr Webster said his behaviour was “appalling”.
She told ABC News Breakfast that she was encouraged by young people in the Nationals who said they wanted change.
“One of the things I stressed to them and will stress to the people of Australia, is this is not about the emasculation of men. It’s about how do we work together to achieve the greatest outcomes in our capacities in which we are working and how do we understand one another better and keep it above board.”
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