Notice of motion

March 22, 2022

Tania MAXWELL (Northern Victoria) (12:39):

Mr President, on the next day of sitting, I will move:

That this House —

(1) acknowledges the unacceptable history of bullying and harassment in workplaces;

(2) understands the important role the Victorian Parliament can play as an exemplar of best practice in the prevention and response to bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault in workplaces;

(3) recognises that the Victorian Parliament is a workplace for Members of Parliament, electorate officers, parliamentary advisers, ministerial staff, parliamentary officers and precinct employees and contractors;

(4) directs the Presiding Officers to jointly write to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner requesting that the Commission inquire into and report to the Presiding Officers on —

(a) the adequacy of existing laws, policies, structures and complaint mechanisms relating to bullying and harassment in the Victorian Parliament;

(b) improvements that may be made to existing laws, policies, structures and complaint mechanisms relating to bullying and harassment in the Victorian Parliament;

(c) whether an independent complaints body should be established to provide a mechanism to manage and respond to complaints about bullying and harassment within the Victorian Parliament, in the context of a confidential and supportive environment;

(5) requires the Commissioner to commence such an inquiry by consulting with the following employers affected by these terms of reference —

(a) Presiding Officers;

(b) Clerk of the Legislative Assembly;

(c) Clerk of the Legislative Council;

(d) Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services;

(e) Parliamentary Budget Officer;

(f) Executive Government;

(g) any other relevant employers identified by the Commissioner;

(6) requires the Presiding Officers to table the report in both Houses of Parliament;

and requests the agreement of the Legislative Assembly to the terms of this resolution.