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Community & Business

1 April, 2021

A house of ill repute

OPINION - Over the past month we have heard numerous allegations of rape, sexual misconduct and blatant sexism coming from the so-called hall of power - Australia’s Parliament House.

By Phil Brandel

How good is sexual harassment in the workplace?
How good is sexual harassment in the workplace?

OPINION:

Over the past month we have heard numerous allegations of rape, sexual misconduct and blatant sexism coming from the so-called hall of power - Australia’s Parliament House.

It all began with Brittany Higgins, then there was Christian Porter and most recently there were male staffers caught filming themselves engaged in a solo sex act on a female MP’s desk.

Not to mention rumours of sex workers being smuggled in, group sex in a prayer room and a group calling themselves the ‘Big Swinging Dicks’.

Ask yourself if the above had all happened at a local café or hardware store or supermarket, how long until that business was shut down forever?

In a recent press conference PM Scott Morrison said from teary eyes “I need women to stand with me” which was quite ironic because the week before 10,000 women marched on Parliament house hoping to stand with the PM, while he stayed in his office and ignored them. Scomo later said in Parliament that we should all be grateful that the women were not shot.

This sort of culture doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere, Scott Morrison has been the PM since 2018 and now he wants women to stand with him. Is it because he doesn’t like the toxic culture inside parliament house or is it because male public servants have been caught in the act, therefore hurting his approval rating?

At the same press conference, the PM attacked another news organization for having a sexual harassment complaint made by a woman. This later tuned out not to be true. As any PR spin doctor will tell you the best defence is a good offense.

It seems like politicians from both sides of the house have a story to tell or opinion to share on the above issues, all except one politician. The minister for woman, Maurice Payne has been notably absent in her condemnation of sexual misconduct or rape in her own workplace.

Women are abandoning the liberal ranks in droves. First Nicolle Flint stepped down after calling out sexist abuse. Julia Banks spoke about a culture of bullying. Julie Bishop resigned after saying the workplace culture was untenable and former senator Lucy Gichuhi said that the Liberal Party needed to “stop beating up our women”.

When you set yourself up as a loving devout Christian who puts his daughters and wife first, but you lead a misogynistic, uncaring, reprehensible, and sexist government, the hypocrisy is mind blowing.

So far there has not been one arrest or even one completed investigation from the government into sexual misconduct in the house. Dear PM, the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.

Got an opinion? email us editorial@theexpressnewspaper.com.au

 

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