Sex assault claims cast light on Australia’s macho politics, parliament’s ‘patriarchal environment’
- In 2021, a scathing review found Australia’s Parliament House rife with heavy drinking, bullying, and sexual harassment
- 2 years later the country is again wrestling with the behaviour of its politicians, after a senator was accused of sexual assault
Australia has allowed a sexist culture to fester inside its parliament, a prominent lawmaker has said, as sexual assault allegations again ring through the country’s halls of power.
The macho nature of Australian politics was highlighted in late 2021 when a scathing review found Parliament House rife with heavy drinking, bullying, and sexual harassment.
Less than two years later the country is again wrestling with the behaviour of its political class, after sexual assault claims were levelled at a conservative senator.
Independent politician Zali Steggall said women had experienced “horrific” levels of harassment and sexual assault while working inside parliament.
“The culture of the Australian parliament has been exposed in the last few years, and still has a long way to go”, she said. “It has been an overwhelmingly patriarchal environment”.
Few initially took notice as Lidia Thorpe stood to address the Senate last Wednesday evening, but her interjection would rapidly grip the nation.