Problematic working conditions for political staffers and what can be done

Abstract

In Australia thousands of political staffers work for federal Ministers in Parliament House and for MPs and Senators in electorate offices. They are also found in equivalent positions in all State parliaments. Many are women. Their employment is precarious and when they experience bullying and sexual misconduct, few make formal complaints. This paper looks at the deeper causes of their problematic working conditions, which are both structural and cultural, based on formal rules and informal norms. These include the form of their employment, poor regulation of the conduct of political actors, fundamental power imbalances, secrecy, the strange nature of their careers and lack of training and support. There are a number of possible solutions, which range from addressing the symptoms to tackling deep underlying issues. None of these are straightforward and all face the problem of tackling vested interests. Show more