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Find the time: Federal minister tells MPs to get harassment training

An outspoken cabinet minister has challenged all federal politicians to undertake sexual harassment training.

Jul 19, 2021, updated Jul 19, 2021
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says supply chain issues and mental health will be key areas of need as floodwaters recede. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says supply chain issues and mental health will be key areas of need as floodwaters recede. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

The training was introduced after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped inside Parliament House.

At the time, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said she’d had a gutful of the workplace culture in parliament.

As reported by InQueensland last week, the one-hour training sessions will be optional for politicians.

Andrews challenged all parliamentarians to take part.

“I would be encouraging every single politician in this building to make sure they at least attend that hour of training,” she said.

“I will be making sure I am attending, they should go out and do that.

“That will be a pretty clear demonstration of their commitment, and they should be held to that.”

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins has released a progress report into the workplace culture inside Parliament House.

Jenkins has so far been contacted by 345 participants, almost three-quarters of them women.

The overwhelming majority of participants work or have worked for Commonwealth politicians.

Sixteen current or former federal parliamentarians have come forward to share their stories, along with eight volunteers, interns or students.

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