This bill became law on Sep 20th, 2023.
Work & employment
Australia now has a dedicated Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. to handle workplace support and culture issues across federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform..
The Set the Standard reportThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. exposed fragmented, unclear and inadequate HR systems in parliamentary workplaces that left bullying, harassment and assault poorly prevented and handled. This bill creates an independent Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. with centralised support, complaints, training, policies and reporting to make those workplaces safer and more accountable.
After Brittany Higgins’ allegations in 2021 exposed how unsafe parliamentary workplaces could be, existing human resources and complaint arrangements were shown to be fragmented and inadequate, and the November 2021 Set the Standard reportThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. documented widespread bullying, sexual harassment and assault across Commonwealth parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform.. Political leaders then committed to culture reform, and in 2023 this bill created an independent Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. with support, complaints, training and reporting powers, with the Act receiving Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. in September 2023.
The main reservation was that the bill set up support and complaints processes but did not by itself deliver the stronger enforcement, standards body and wider culture change needed to stop misconduct in parliament. That concern was raised mainly by crossbench and Greens speakers, while the Coalition only sought minor technical clarifications and no party represented in the debate opposed the bill.
Patrick Gorman MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 20 Sept 2023
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
41 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Australia now has a dedicated Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. to handle workplace support and culture issues across federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform..
Current and former people in federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform. can get support services from the Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. when they raise alleged misconduct.
Current and former people in federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform. can use an independent complaint process to help resolve complaints about alleged misconduct.
The Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. can review complaints about alleged misconduct between current or former people in federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform..
Parliamentarians must meet training, consultation and information requirements under the Act, and failures can be publicly named in a report.
This Act establishes the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 final Act text
(1) The support function of the PWSS is to provide support services to current and former Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants under subsection (2).Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 final Act text
(1) The complaint resolution function of the PWSS is to provide services to current and former Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants under subsection (2) to facilitate the independent resolution of complaints involving alleged relevant conduct.Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 final Act text
(2) The PWSS may review a complaint made to the PWSS about alleged relevant conduct engaged in by one or more current or former Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants (the first party) that affects one or more other current or former Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants (the second party) in accordance with the following table:Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 final Act text
Parliamentarians must comply with certain training requirements, consultation requirements and requests for information under this Act. A failure to comply may result in details of the non‑compliance being published in a public report.Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 final Act text
Context
After Brittany Higgins’ allegations in 2021 exposed how unsafe parliamentary workplaces could be, existing human resources and complaint arrangements were shown to be fragmented and inadequate, and the November 2021 Set the Standard reportThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. documented widespread bullying, sexual harassment and assault across Commonwealth parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform.. Political leaders then committed to culture reform, and in 2023 this bill created an independent Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. with support, complaints, training and reporting powers, with the Act receiving Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. in September 2023.
Brittany Higgins' allegations expose misconduct in Parliament House
Evidence later cited in Parliament said the allegations brought national attention to staff experiences of bullying, harassment, abuse and assault in federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform..
Hansard ↗Complaint review reveals 38 new allegations against MPs
An AFR report on the Foster reviewAn earlier review of serious incidents in Parliament that helped lead to the first complaints mechanism before this bill made the PWSS permanent. said the complaint system had uncovered a string of new allegations and showed existing workplace misconduct processes were already under strain.
Australian Financial Review ↗Set the Standard reportThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. finds widespread bullying, harassment and assault
Kate Jenkins’ report found that 51 per cent of people currently working in Commonwealth parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform. had experienced bullying, sexual harassment or actual or attempted sexual assault.
Hansard ↗Political leaders apologise to victims and commit to workplace reform
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese formally apologised to victims of bullying, harassment and assaults in parliamentary workplaces and committed to making the workplace safe.
Australian Financial Review ↗Government introduces the bill to create an independent workplace support service
The second reading speech said the bill would establish the Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. as a statutory agency to implement recommendation 11 of the Set the Standard reportThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. and drive further reforms.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed on the final form of the bill, including amendments, clearing the way for the new service to be established in law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. makes the Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. Act law
Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament. completed the legislation that set up the independent service to handle support, complaints, training and reporting across federal parliamentary workplacesThe workplaces in and around the federal Parliament, including staff and parliamentarians covered by this reform..
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Considered by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills on 06 Sep 2023.
Considered by scrutiny committee
APH bill page notesThe bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Committee of the Whole debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Consideration of Senate message
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main reservation was that the bill set up support and complaints processes but did not by itself deliver the stronger enforcement, standards body and wider culture change needed to stop misconduct in parliament. That concern was raised mainly by crossbench and Greens speakers, while the Coalition only sought minor technical clarifications and no party represented in the debate opposed the bill.
Criticism focused on gaps and follow-up reforms, not on rejecting the bill's core purpose.
Not enough enforcement or follow-up reform
Several supporters argued the bill was only a first step and worried that, without later reforms such as an independent parliamentary standards commission or stronger enforcement powers, harmful behaviour could continue despite the new support service.
Technical drafting needed clarification
The Coalition said it supported the bill in principle and would help it pass on time, but wanted minor technical changes and clarifications so the new arrangements worked clearly for staff.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. Where APH reports aggregate counts, the package card summarizes the matching public amendment sheets by source theme.
House
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
This amendment would change the bill text so PWSSThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. reports are presented to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House rather than to the Minister.
This amendment would change the bill text so PWSSThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. reports are presented to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House rather than to the Minister.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment without a counted vote — the presiding officer judged the ayes louder than the noes, and no member called for a division.
Government amendments clarify that references to the Minister mean the Special Minister of State when one exists, and tighten how PWSS reports are given and presented.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment package without a counted vote. APH records the agreed count by amendment, while the source documents are grouped into amendment sheets.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Gorman strongly supports the bill, saying it will create the statutory workplace support service needed to implement the Set the standardThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. reforms and make parliamentary workplaces safer and more respectful.
Read in Hansard ↗Kylea Tink supports the bill and says it is welcome progress because it gives effect to the Set the standardThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. recommendations by creating an independent Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces..
Read in Hansard ↗Steggall supports the Parliamentary Workplace Support ServiceThe new independent body created by this law to give support, handle complaints, set some workplace policies and report on culture in federal parliamentary workplaces. Bill 2023 as an essential first step toward making Parliament a safer workplace.
Read in Hansard ↗Taylor says the opposition gives the bill in-principle support but is reserving its final position while the government considers minor technical changes.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
6 speakers · 7 contributions · 6 support
“The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill stays true to those principles.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The setting up of the PWSS as a new statutory authority is an important adjunct to the MOP(S) work that has been done. It will modernise the MOP(S) employment framework, and that is terribly important.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, which was recognised in the former parliament, the 46th Parliament, was up and running reasonably quickly for how things work here. I think it has been such a significant success story of appropriate support services for both parliamentarians and their staff. This package of bills seeks to strengthen that. I very much thank current and former staff who provided their personal stories, often at personal cost, to that inquiry because it is through those stories that we are standing here today debating legislation that is putting in place permanently the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Patrick Gorman on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Gorman strongly supports the bill, saying it will create the statutory workplace support service needed to implement the Set the standardThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. reforms and make parliamentary workplaces safer and more respectful.
“This bill advances the government's commitment to implement recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission's Set the standard report directed at making Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces safe and respectful.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Patrick Gorman supports the bill as part of implementing the Set the standardThe major review that found parliamentary workplaces had serious culture and misconduct problems and recommended reforms that this bill starts to implement. recommendations, saying it will create an independent service to professionalise parliamentary employment and make workplaces safer and more respectful. He presents it as an important reform for parliamentary workplaces and commends the bill.
“The bill provides for a new human resources entity to support the employment relationship between parliamentarians and their staff. The new Parliamentary Workplace Support Service will play a key role in advancing the professionalisation of that relationship.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
“The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service will go some way to making the change that we all want to see in this place. It will go some way to making sure that people feel appropriately supported in their time here.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I am really pleased to have the opportunity to speak briefly on these very important bills, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023 and related bills, and reform for this parliament. Like so many others who have been in this place for some time now, I have been very clear that we need to do things differently here—that we cannot have a parliament that tolerates or allows for instances of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault to occur in this building and in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces around the country. Fixing this is part of what this bill will do, so it is very, very important work for this parliament. It is important work about how we must do better.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 3 support · 1 mixed
“While the measures in these bills have the in-principle support of the opposition, at this time the opposition will be reserving its position, noting that the Minister for Finance has committed to the shadow minister to consider some minor technical changes to this legislation to improve its operation and provide clarity for staff. The coalition in government and in opposition has consistently taken the approach that these matters should remain nonpartisan and dealt with by consensus, and the Labor Party has worked to do the same, particularly when reasonable and sensible compromise can be achieved. This is important and appreciated by the opposition, as we have consulted widely since the legislation was made public a month ago when it was introduced. The views of staff on these matters are paramount, and we appreciate that the minister recognised the hundreds of coalition staff who will be impacted by this new framework and the feedback from our staff that has been provided. We note the need for this legislation to pass soon to ensure it can achieve the scheduled start date of 1 October this year, and to that end we will assist with the passage of the bill while the discussions between the minister and the opposition continue.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“As a result of the ongoing discussions between the coalition and the government, the minister has also circulated three changes in two amendments to the PWSS Bill. The coalition will support these changes, which we have worked with the government to make, in the interests of continued bipartisanship on these matters.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I too rise to support the passage of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023, Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023 and Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment Bill 2023. This legislation has been long in development and consideration, and it is critical to the future reputation of this workplace as a respected and valuable employer. The legislation has had a very long and detailed gestation, and I commend everyone who has worked on developing it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to express support for the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023 in the context of the point made by the lead speaker for the opposition that we want to see this move through the parliament. We know the start date of 1 October is one that's important, and he did note that there are some ongoing discussions between the opposition and the government that might see some changes or adjustments to the bill in the Senate. As the lead speaker, the member for Hume, said, we really want to make sure that legislation of this kind is bipartisan and in fact unanimous throughout the parliament and we want this to be an opportunity for an enduring reform that does contribute to dramatic improvements to the way in which staff are supported in the workplace. I'm very confident that this bill will achieve those objectives, but we hope that a couple of those discussions with the government yield good, sensible, minor adjustments that will be in the best interests of some observations that we've got from experience.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“I'm very pleased that today, finally, after what seems a very long fortnight, we're getting to the PWSS bill and related bills. I very much look forward to their passage, which is expected today, and to an expedition of the independent parliamentary standards commission, which will give those codes of conduct teeth and finally complete the implementation of Set the standard.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The behaviour code, the PWSS and the IPSC are all crucial to making this place safe and respectful for all. But at the end of the day, politicians and their parties need to show leadership and to model the behaviour that people out there expect from us. This is a good start, but there's more to do, especially for the behaviour codes to be implemented and the enforcement mechanisms to be set up.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Greens welcome and support these bills, which give the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, the PWSS, statutory authority and an expanded mandate.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
5 speakers · 5 support
“While the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023 and its consequential amendments are welcome progress, I call on the government to reiterate its endorsement of the code of conduct for all parliamentarians and to ensure its implementation at pace.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Whilst there's a lot more to be done and more legislation to be implemented, I support these bills as an essential first step in making parliament a safer workplace.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023 implements recommendation 11 of that Set the standard report. It legislates the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, or PWSS as we've come to know it, to provide centralised HR support and develop policies for workplace strategies, work health and safety, and training.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'll finish by saying that, while these fine words on paper in this chamber are one thing, actions in this chamber and in this building are entirely another. Self-awareness among those who work here and reflections on their continuing behaviour inside this chamber and outside it must happen to make these reforms meaningful. I endorse the remarks of the member for Newcastle: squibbing it on this is not an option. This bill must pass. The further reforms must happen. This behaviour must change, for all of us.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I welcome the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023, because what it achieves—the creation of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, the implementation of the Set the standard recommendations and the behavioural codes—are all steps towards ensuring that improved standards will persist, whether we have a minority government, a pandemic, a war or whatever else confronts the parliament.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Committee of the whole: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns a passed bill into an Act of Parliament., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Considered by scrutiny committee
Considered by the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills on 06 Sep 2023.
APH bill page notes
