Taskforce Meeting: 29 November

Issue date: Wednesday, 30 November 2022

The Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce held its eighth meeting on 29 November 2022. 

The Taskforce was joined by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, to discuss the progress made throughout 2022 and the 12 months since the tabling of the Set the Standard report. Ms Jenkins noted the positive impact of the reforms on Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. Taskforce members thanked Ms Jenkins for the historic work to set the reform roadmap. 

PLT 29 Nov
Back row (Left to right): Senator Larissa Waters, Ms Zali Steggall OAM MP, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Hon Sussan Ley MP, Senator Perin Davey, Ms Sharon Claydon MP
Front row (Left to right): Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Ms Kate Jenkins, Ms Kerri Hartland, Senator the Hon Jane Hume
 
Following the Taskforce’s 15 November 2022 meeting, members agreed to supplement the existing Employee Consultative Group, including parliamentary department staff, interested in being consulted further on the implementation of the Set the Standard reforms.

This new consultation group will first be engaged on the development of common alcohol policy principles and a model alcohol policy. It is expected that membership for the new consultation group will be sought in early 2023. 

Members also welcomed the release of the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards’ report with recommendations to establish Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces, a Behaviour Code for Parliamentarians, and a Behaviour Code for Parliamentarians’ Staff. 

A progress report on recommendations can be found in a refreshed Implementation Tracker – 29 November 2022