QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Sex Discrimination Amendment (Prohibiting All Sexual Harassment) Bill 2021
Mr MORRISON (Cook—Prime Minister and Minister for the Public Service) (14:51): I thank the member for her question. Of course the government is committed to ensuring that Australia's legal frameworks are effective in preventing and responding to sexual harassment. The question of how best to address sexual assault, though, which is the subject of your bill, should be informed by the findings of the inquiries that have been announced into sexual assault allegations. The issue of sexual harassment was also, as has been noted earlier today, the subject of the Respect@Work report and the Law Council of Australia's recent national action plan. Although the government appreciate the member's efforts, we note that the draft bill goes beyond the recommendations of those documents. We would be happy to keep the member informed of the government's progress on our consultations and possible legislative reforms.