A new parliamentary standards commission is in the works. 

The Albanese Government has introduced a new law to create the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC), following a recommendation from the 2021 Set the Standard report. 

The report investigated issues like bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct within Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. 

The IPSC is designed to enforce behaviour rules for parliamentarians and their staff, holding them accountable for their actions.

The IPSC, which is being introduced two years later than recommended, will have the power to impose penalties, such as fines, removal from committees, and suspensions from Parliament. 

The severity of the penalties will depend on whether the person involved is a current or former parliamentarian or staff member.

Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher said that improving the workplace culture at Parliament House requires a joint effort from all parties. 

“Since coming to Government and in conjunction with the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce, we've been working hard to put the systems in place so that people can raise workplace complaints, and when complaints are substantiated, that both staff and parliamentarians are held to account for their behaviour,” she said.

The Greens, while welcoming the introduction of the IPSC, criticised the delay. 

“It’s two years late, but the Greens welcome the legislation to establish an Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission,” said Senator Larissa Waters, the Greens Leader in the Senate.

“Women and staff have been unsafe in parliament for far too long. Parliamentarians have been getting away with blue murder, as there has been no way of holding them to account for bad behaviour.”

The IPSC will handle complaints confidentially, giving both sides a chance to respond. 

If the IPSC recommends a penalty, the details may be made public, depending on the public interest. The IPSC will also have the authority to investigate actions that could be criminal, but serious cases would be referred to the police.

The law will also have implications for journalists, who could face restrictions on their access to Parliament. 

Recommendations could also be made to their employers, although these would not be enforceable.

The Government has committed $3.8 million to set up the IPSC, which is expected to start operating by October 2024, assuming the legislation passes.