Plan targets sex harassment by judges, MPs

Warringah MP Zali Steggall has introduced a bill to federal parliament on Monday that would change national sexual harassment laws to ensure it covers all workplaces.

"It is baffling that these amendments have not already been implemented," she said.

Ms Steggall said she had contacted the Morrison government to offer them the bill so they could introduce it, to no avail.

"If you fail to adopt this amendment you are endorsing sexual harassment in our workplace," she said.

"You are saying MPs should not be held to the same standard as others. The people of Australia are tired of words. They want action, it has been on the to-do list for too long."

The bill would fill a gap in the law to ensure judges and members of parliament are not only liable for sexual harassment, but also protected from it.

The change also covers new forms of work such as employees in the gig economy.

The bill was supported in parliament by another independent MP, Indi's Helen Haines.

"How long will it take for the government to realise that bills like these are not political show ponies or dog whistles?" Dr Haines said.

"That bills like these are real, urgent, evidence-based reform that would make our workplace safer. That bills like these would start to restore the respect and trust that Australians have lost in this government and this institution."

Dr Haines said it was "quite appalling" the government had only introduced three out of 55 changes recommended by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins in her Respect@Work report.

Ms Jenkins will lead a review into the culture of Parliament House after a former Liberal staffer said she was raped by a colleague in the building in 2019.

Attorney-General Christian Porter is also on leave as he denies accusations he raped a woman in 1988 when the pair were teenagers.

Australian Associated Press