The Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce overseeing the implementation of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (the Jenkins Report), held its second meeting on Monday, 28 February.
The meeting focused on the importance of ensuring voices of participants to the Jenkins Review and all of those in Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces have the opportunity to be heard and engaged through the implementation of the recommendations. This included working with individuals who wanted to provide input to the Joint Select Committee (JSC) on Parliamentary Standards. It was agreed that the Chair would discuss with the JSC Chair appropriate ways to engage with participants and others who may not have publicly raised issues during the Jenkins Review. It was noted that Commissioner Jenkins is working closely with the Taskforce Chair to ensure continuity of communication on implementation while maintaining privacy for individuals.'
The makeup of the Implementation Group and terms of reference was agreed noting the requirement of this Group to regularly work with stakeholders. The Chair is consulting with participants to the Review to establish a representative consultation group and will also engage regularly with established Parliamentary workplace groups.
The Taskforce agreed to publicly provide progress against each of the 28 recommendations of the Jenkins Report after each meeting in addition to the communique. This progress report can be found at Implementation Tracker – 28 February 2022. The Taskforce agreed that progress on the Office of Parliamentary Staffing and Culture (OPSC) and, with an upcoming election, induction for new starters, were priorities for the Taskforce in the lead up to its next meeting.
The next meeting will be held in late March.