Connie Bonaros MLC says SA Parliament still has ‘toxic’ workplace culture

·

SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros has told ABC News she believes South Australia’s parliament still has a “toxic” culture of bullying and harassment, despite a raft of changes being implemented to overhaul the workplace.

“We are supposed to set the gold standard, and we simply haven’t,” Ms Bonaros told the national broadcaster, while explaining that she is still approached “all the time” by people dealing with harassment at Parliament.

“This has been a toxic boys club for a very long time… [and] there are these cultural issues that continue to linger and go unaddressed.”

Ms Bonaros’ statements come two-and-a-half years after a damning review into SA’s Parliament by the state’s Equal Opportunity Commissioner (EOC).

Connie Bonaros MLC says SA Parliament still has ‘toxic’ workplace culture.

The review was launched after allegations former Liberal MP Sam Duluk behaved inappropriately towards Ms Bonaros at a parliamentary Christmas event. He was found not guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in August 2021.

The final report found sexual harassment to be prevalent in Parliament and made 16 recommendations – many aimed at overhauling Parliament’s workplace standards and procedures.

In May this year, a progress update about the recommendations was tabled by the clerks of both houses. It pointed to “significant advances” to address “cultural reform issues” including the Parliament’s new People and Culture Unit, and the development of a “robust anti-harassment policy.”

Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri told ABC News she believed the Parliament had done “a lot of work” and was “on the right track.”

A three-year progress update on all 16 of the EOC’s recommendations is due in early 2024.

Source: ABC News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Greece leads athlete parade along Seine at Paris Olympics’ historic opening ceremony

The Greek Olympic team led the athlete parade along the Seine River during the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony on Friday, July 26.

Grateful organ recipient Dimitri Tsekinis shares story of survival for DonateLife Week

A lifeline was handed not once but twice to 43-year-old Dimitri Tsekinis when he was the recipient of two organs.

2024 Odyssey Art Prize: GOCSA announces open call for visual artists

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia’s Odyssey Festival celebrates 17 years of presence in Adelaide's cultural scene this year.

Dr Phil Kafcaloudes to explore ‘going English’ in lecture on Greek migration

"In a name-proud Greek culture, the decision to anglicise one’s family name is a profound study in migratory and cultural dynamics," says Dr Kafcaloudes.

Peter Kiritsis sells million-dollar Adelaide home as grandfather gifts it to grandkids

An Adelaide grandfather has set a new standard for grandparent gifts by purchasing a 1960s-built home for his grandchildren at auction.

You May Also Like

Greek PM slams Turkey’s conversion of Chora church into mosque

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has condemned the conversion of former Byzantine Chora church in Istanbul into a mosque.

CP Cavafy archive permanently housed in Plaka neighbourhood of Athens

The collection of writings and belongings of poet CP Cavafy, is now permanently housed in the Plaka district of Athens.

Cypriot Foreign Minister pays first official visit to Greece to discuss Cyprus issue

Cypriot Foreign Minister, Constantine Kombos, paid his first official visit to Greece and met with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias.