22nd Feb 2021, 4:02 PM – Senate Motions - Members of Parliament - Parliamentary staff safety

The same number of senators voted for and against motion 1013 introduced by Queensland Senator Larissa Waters (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Prime Minister has appointed the Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to undertake an investigation into the mishandling of Brittany Higgins' rape allegation, and

(ii) on current information, the inadequate response to Ms Higgins' allegations has involved two ministers, senior staff from the Prime Minister's office, the presiding officers, and the Department of Parliamentary Services;

(b) expresses concern that an investigation undertaken by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet lacks the independence and transparency that should be afforded to such a serious investigation; and

(c) calls on the Government to:

(i) engage an independent person to undertake a comprehensive, armslength investigation of the mishandling of Brittany Higgins' rape allegations, and recommend ways to strengthen the complaints process available to all parliamentary staff, and

(ii) cooperate fully with any such investigation.