The Times Australia
The Times News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Former MP Kate Ellis on the culture in parliament house

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

The revelation of the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins and subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct have sparked multiple inquiries into the culture of parliament house.

It’s a subject on which Kate Ellis is an expert. Ellis was a Labor MP from 2004 to 2019, and held various ministries in the Labor government. She was then – and still is – the youngest person to become a federal minister.

Ellis retired to spend more time with her young family.

Her coming book, Sex, Lies and Question Time, published in April, discusses the history of women in parliament, their triumphs, but also the adversities faced by female parliamentarians and staff. It draws on contemporary accounts.

Ellis describes her time as a parliamentarian as “the best job in the world” but says “if you’re a woman in our federal parliament, you are treated differently than if you are a man.”

She chose to “overstep the line” as an employer, when she was a minister, to warn staff of the hazards of the life and culture around parliament.

“There are several occasions where I would sit my staff member down and actually play more of a maternal role…kind of talking about the culture, making sure that they were okay and making sure that they knew that they could come to me.

"Now, that’s not the traditional role of an employer. Normally what people do outside of their strict work hours is up to them. But just having seen enough of the Canberra culture, I felt that it was my responsibility to play that role. And it’s something that I did on a number of occasions.”

Listen on Apple Podcasts Former MP Kate Ellis on the culture in parliament house

Stitcher Listen on TuneIn

Listen on RadioPublic Former MP Kate Ellis on the culture in parliament house

A List of Ways to Die[1], Lee Rosevere, from Free Music Archive.

References

  1. ^ A List of Ways to Die (freemusicarchive.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-former-mp-kate-ellis-on-the-culture-in-parliament-house-155874

The Times Features

How to buy a coffee machine

For coffee lovers, having a home coffee machine can transform your daily routine, allowing you to enjoy café-quality drinks without leaving your kitchen. But with so many optio...

In the Digital Age, Online Promotion Isn't Just an Option for Small Businesses – It's a Necessity

The shift to an online-first consumer landscape means small businesses must embrace digital promotion to not only survive but thrive in 2025. From expanding reach to fostering cu...

Sorbet Balls by bubbleme Bring Bite-Sized Cool Spin to Frozen Snacking

A cool new frozen treat is rolling into the ice-cream aisle at Woolworths stores nationwide. Dairy-free, gluten-free and free from artificial colours, bubbleme Sorbet Balls ar...

Mind-Body Balance: The Holistic Approach of Personal Training in Moonee Ponds

Key Highlights Discover the benefits of a holistic approach to personal training in Moonee Ponds and nearby Maribyrnong, including residents from Strathmore. Learn how mind-b...

How Online Platforms Empower You to Find Affordable Removalists and Electricity Plans

When you move into a new home, you have many tasks to do. You need to hire removalists and set up your electricity.  In this article, we discuss how online platforms empower you ...

IS ROSEMARY OIL THE SECRET TO BETTER HAIR DAYS? HERE’S WHAT IT CAN DO

Rosemary hair oil is a straightforward natural solution that delivers exceptional results for anyone who wants to enhance their haircare process. It maintains its status in herba...

Times Magazine

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

Uniden Baby Video Monitor Review

Uniden has released another award-winning product as part of their ‘Baby Watch’ series. The BW4501 Baby Monitor is an easy to use camera for keeping eyes and ears on your little one. The camera is easy to set up and can be mounted to the wall or a...

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

LayBy Shopping