[Senator Waters' speech to the Senate on the Parliamentary Workplace Reform (Set the Standard Measures No. 1) Bill 2022]

The Greens support this Bill as a tiny step in the right direction by implementing two recommendations of the Set the Standards report.  There is still so much more to do, but this is a start.

The Greens have welcomed the parliament’s acknowledgement of the abuse and harassment experienced by staff in parliamentary workplaces, but have warned that words alone will not satisfy Australian women.

The Greens continue to urge the government to implement all 28 recommendations of the Set the Standard report, in addition to the remaining Respect@Work recommendations, particularly fully funding working women’s centres and the centrepiece reform of legislating a positive duty on employers.