Parliament will deliver a formal acknowledgement of past bullying, harassment and sexual assault on Tuesday to recognise those who have faced harm within its walls.
The recognition in both houses responds to the first recommendation of the workplace review conducted by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.
But it's been revealed former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins was initially left off the invitation list for Tuesday’s historic acknowledgement.
Ms Higgins, whose allegation of rape in a ministerial office in 2019 led to the inquiry being called, is now being offered the option of being among a small group allowed to witness the statement today.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison reflected on the acknowledgement as he attended a church service in Canberra on Tuesday morning coinciding with the return of parliament.
"It's been a difficult journey and a very important one, that our government has embraced and I believe the parliament has embraced, not as a political issue, but as one of shared objective and shared purpose," he said.
"I look forward to that being progressed today."
The parliamentary year will begin in the House of Representatives and the Senate at midday with the acknowledgement of these concerns the first agenda item.
Parliament House, which has always prided itself on being an open and democratic institution with a public gallery, is currently closed to visitors as a pandemic measure.
The speaker of the House and Senate president will deliver the statements, with the prime minister and other party leaders will follow.
Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins at the March 4 Justice rally in Canberra. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac
The Jenkins Report highlighted why a statement of acknowledgement is important.
“An acknowledgement of the impact of misconduct is important for validating the experience of individuals who have been subject to harm under the watch of leaders in CPWs (Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces),” the report said.
Independent MP Zali Steggall said the acknowledgement marked an "important" first step towards recognising the experiences of those who had engaged with the inquiry.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins addresses media. Source: AAP
"What is really important about this statement is to say to all of the participants of the inquiry, all of those that have been leading this conversation that we have heard you and we're acting," she told the ABC.
Former Liberal staffer Rachelle Miller, who has alleged she , has also confirmed she is now invited to attend the event.
An investigation into her allegations against Cabinet Minister Alan Tudge remains unresolved, but he denies wrongdoing.
Ms Miller has described an affair between the pair as being defined by a “significant power imbalance”, which she said had been “emotionally and on one occasion physically abusive”.
The Coalition is under pressure from Labor, the Greens and crossbenchers to implement all 28 recommendations from the report.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has confirmed the first meeting of a taskforce, including representatives from across the parliament took place last week.
“The Government also intends to introduce into Parliament the legislative changes recommended by the Jenkins Report to confirm that the Fair Work Act 2009, the Age Discrimination Act 2004 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 apply to people employed under the Members of Parliament Staff Act (MOP(S) Act),” he said in a statement.
“It will also confirm the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 applies to a Member or Senator in their role as an employer of staff employed under the MOP(S) Act.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit . In an emergency, call 000.
