Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians

Purpose of Parliamentarians’ Behaviour Code

• All Australian parliamentarians have a shared responsibility as employers and leaders in the community to ensure that Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces meet the highest standards of integrity, dignity, safety and mutual respect.
• All Australian laws must be upheld, including the employer obligations outlined in the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.
• This code forms the Parliament’s expectations for how we behave towards each other and others we engage with in the course of our work, while recognising the importance of a free exchange of ideas and parliamentary privilege, which is an integral part of our democracy.

Code coverage

• Every parliamentarian is required to understand and comply with this code and the Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. These codes and standards are enforceable and a breach of either code could lead to sanctions being imposed.
• Both the code and the standards apply to parliamentarians in the course of their role, including at social events, when travelling for work, and outside of normal business hours. This includes conduct engaged in by any means, including in person, or by electronic communication. Alcohol is no excuse for breach of this code or the standards.
• Ensuring compliance with the Code and the Standards is a core requirement of Parliamentarians discharging their work health and safety obligations as employers.

Respect

• Parliamentarians must treat all those with whom they come into contact in the course of their parliamentary duties and activities with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect.
• Parliamentarians, as employers and leaders in the community have a leading role to play in fostering a healthy, safe, respectful and inclusive environment where all people feel safe and valued.

Diversity

• Parliamentarians, as employers and leaders in the community, have a role in fostering and respecting diversity in their workplace, to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome to contribute.
• Parliamentarians recognise the importance and value of diverse viewpoints, and that robust debate is conducted with respect for differing views, which are essential for a functioning democracy.

Prohibited behaviours

• Bullying and harassment, sexual harassment or assault, discrimination in all its forms including on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability, or religion is unacceptable. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, condoned or ignored.

Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission

• Anyone who believes this code has been breached is encouraged to raise their concerns about the breach.
• Disclosures and complaints in relation to this code will be received confidentially and managed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC).
• Advice and support regarding this code can be sought from the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS).
• Parliamentarians have obligations to the IPSC, to:
  • Cooperate with investigations and comply with sanctions imposed.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of the complaint process, unless authorised by the IPSC (or otherwise required by law) to share or release information.
  • Act on allegations of misconduct made about their staff and to implement recommendations of the IPSC in relation to staff misconduct. Failure to do so may be a breach of this code and sanctions may apply.

Complaints under this code

• A vexatious complaint or a complaint made in bad faith may itself be a breach of this code and may be subject to sanctions.
• Any attempt to intimidate or victimise a reporter/complainant or to lobby, influence or intimidate the IPSC (its office-holders, staff or contractors) will be treated as a serious and aggravated breach of this code.

Upholding the Code 

• Parliamentarians must incorporate this code in their everyday workplace practice. This is done by:
  • Undertaking any training or professional development as recommended or deemed necessary as an employer and leader within the community, and
  • Complying with all workplace policies.