Dealing with toxic parliaments: Lessons from elsewhere

Abstract

In February 2021, Brittany Higgins set in motion a wave of protest in Australia concerning women’s experience of Parliament as a workplace. The way her claim of rape in a Minister’s office was treated made it clear the Parliament of Australia was lagging behind reforms taking place elsewhere. In the wake of the 2017 #MeToo movement, women have been emboldened to reveal their experience of Parliament as an unsafe workplace. The problems are widespread due to the unique structure and nature of parliamentary employment coupled with partisan dynamics. This article examines steps taken by other Parliaments, including those in Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, to deal with issues of bullying and sexual harassment and the pitfalls encountered. It ends with some recommendations flowing from lessons learned.