The NSW Parliament's apology to the one in three employees who have been bullied at work is welcome, but must be urgently followed with beefed up protections says the union representing the workers.
Today the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the President of the Legislative Council issued a 'statement of acknowledgement' to those who have been the victims of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
Employees working for Members of Parliament can be sacked without explanation or recourse unlike other workers around the country.
General Secretary of the Public Service Association Stewart Little says action not words are what his members want to see.
"Most members of the public would be shocked to learn those working for MPs at Macquarie Street can be sacked without explanation or recourse to some kind of umpire, like every other worker in the country.
"Once this issue is faced head on by the NSW Parliament we will have some of the tools we need to crack down on bullying, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
"Our members want a new law passed which will give those working for MPs the right to take their case to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission like all other public sector workers in NSW.
"Without that right our members have told us they don't even feel comfortable making complaints when they are victim to sexual harassment or bullying because if they do they can be sacked without explanation or recourse.
"And you have to wonder if they observe corruption whether they will think twice about reporting it for the same reason.
"This needs to be addressed urgently.
"Let's not forget the NSW Government at over 400,000 staff is the biggest employer in Australia and sets the example for all other employers in the country.
"The NSW Parliament is 150 years old and needs to change these antiquated laws that are from a bygone era.
"We are also very concerned this statement from Parliament came days before Parliament rises for summer, and will not sit again until April 2023.
"The PSA has put forward a bill that would, with the stroke of a pen, fix this but the Government has refused to make it a priority and pass it this year before Parliament goes on a four month break," says General Secretary of the Public Service Association Stewart Little.
