OPINION:
Maybe if our politicians are serious about creating a better workplace environment and culture at Parliament House in Canberra they should start by making it a "dry" environment.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has demanded a probe of workplace culture at Parliament in the wake of the rape allegations by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.
Late last year, ABC's Four Corners lifted the lid on the toxic culture of "booze and screwing staff" in an explosive look at life inside what is described as "the Canberra bubble".
In that episode former Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull spoke openly about the so-called "bonk ban" he imposed in 2018 stopping staffers and politicians from becoming romantically involved.
"One of the problems with the culture in Canberra is that you've got all of these people, you know, politicians, staffers, away from home, a stressful environment, late hours, too much alcohol," Mr Turnbull says.
"And I think people often lose sight of the fact that there are standards of behaviour and conduct which have to be maintained."
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In response to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's investigation into the workplace culture at Parliament prominent Illawarra and Sydney businessman Paul Smith proposed a sensible start on social media on Tuesday.
"Isn't time Parliament House in Canberra becomes a "dry" building until such time as measures are taken to address the culture of the place," Mr Smith said on social media.
"It's a workplace after all, least of all the place that is supposed to run the country."
Makes perfect sense. What other business in this day and age, let alone the one that is supposed to run the country, would be allowed to operate with such a culture?
Until the workplace culture is right or to the satisfaction of this country, get rid of the things which are quite visibly stopping that cultural change.
It's time the "bubble" is burst.
Our politicians and their staffers need to be held to the same account they hold us too. No exceptions.