I SPENT this week travelling through the vast Mallee electorate — from Ouyen to Nhill, Horsham, Kaniva, St Arnaud and Maryborough and many towns in between.
While I spoke to locals about a range of issues, the topic that was front and centre for many was workplace safety.
I was encouraged by the support I received from members of the community for speaking up about these issues.
Young women were the most outspoken. They have had enough of harassment.
Last weekend I was asked to speak at The Nationals’ federal conference in Canberra. And specifically to talk about my role as the point of contact for Nationals staff, former staff, and MPs regarding workplace harassment.
In this role, I’ve heard many stories of behaviour that is simply not acceptable.
What impressed me the most at the conference was the attitude of the Young Nats.
I am so proud of this growing cohort of influential young men and women who are not going to remain silent about these issues.
The women were angry about behaviour in their own workplaces, and the men individually came and thanked me for addressing these issues.
Fundamentally, for culture to change in our workplaces, whether it be Parliament House or an office in our town, we all need to take responsibility for that change.
Respect is not just a word, it is an action. And like many qualities and behaviours, it’s only refined and made stronger when it’s put to the test.
When the pressure is on, biting our tongues or thinking the best of a colleague is challenging. Especially if you feel they are letting the team down.
However, respect is an attitude that must be actioned for it to change our society.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community and workplace, but it’s clear that we need to do more for women.
The type of harassment I experienced in the House of Representatives last week, which was widely reported on, is something that women have historically tolerated, not because we wanted to, but because we did not want to “become the problem” by calling it out.
If we want to achieve the type of cultural change that many are seeking, we need to start calling it out.
We need to set the precedent that it’s not OK.
