CEO's laughter at Senate estimates triggers resignation demands
The chief executive of the agency established to combat bullying and harassment in parliamentary workplaces has ignited fury among survivors after laughing during questioning at a Senate estimates hearing. Leonie McGregor, who leads the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS), responded with laughter when asked by Liberal Senator James McGrath if the agency received any complaints, stating, "We receive many complaints."
Survivors condemn behaviour as offensive and damaging
Jo Tarnawsky, a former chief of staff to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles who has alleged bullying, described Ms McGregor's actions as deeply offensive to those who have experienced harm. "If this is how complaints are spoken about publicly, it's not hard to imagine why trust remains so low privately," Ms Tarnawsky said. She emphasised that complaints represent individuals taking significant risks to report abuse, not mere administrative noise.
Ms Tarnawsky called for an immediate apology and, in light of Ms McGregor's silence, demanded her resignation, labelling the agency a sham. "That agency is a sham. And they just let their mask slip," she asserted, highlighting how the incident erodes confidence in the system designed to protect workers.
Widespread concerns over agency's handling of complaints
Anna Hough, a former parliamentary library employee who settled a legal claim for bullying and discrimination, echoed these sentiments. She found the CEO's response disturbing, noting that complaints of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, and assault are serious matters. "The kinds of complaints received by the PWSS are no laughing matter," Ms Hough stated, criticising parliament and officials for failing to address toxic workplace cultures effectively.
The PWSS was created in October 2023 following the Kate Jenkins Set the Standard report, which exposed widespread bullying and harassment in Parliament House. This review was prompted by Brittany Higgins' allegations of rape, later substantiated in court. Despite its mandate, concerns have arisen that the agency may not be properly tracking or categorising complaints, as Ms McGregor could not provide specific numbers or comparisons during the hearing.
Agency's response and ongoing scrutiny
Under further questioning, Ms McGregor explained that the PWSS receives calls for support and counselling, maintaining records only when individuals report issues like bullying. She mentioned a workplace culture survey with over 1,000 responses, set for publication in March, but her inability to detail complaint statistics has fueled doubts about the agency's transparency and efficacy.
The Canberra Times sought comment from the PWSS, but the agency declined to respond. This silence, combined with the CEO's behaviour, has intensified calls for accountability and reform to rebuild trust among parliamentary employees.
