Videos leaked from Australian conservative government officials carrying out sexual acts in parliament, including a man masturbating at a parliamentarian’s table, left Scott Morrison’s government facing another major scandal on Tuesday.
The prime minister – already under pressure for handling charges of sexual assault, including that a government adviser was raped by a colleague – called the behavior “shameful” and “absolutely shameful”.
The videos and photos, which were supposedly shared in a group chat with coalition government officials before being released by a whistleblower, were first revealed by the Australian newspaper and Channel 10 on Monday night.
The graphic images generated new outrage from lawmakers and the Australian public, following in the wake of the rape accusations that sparked mass protests across the country.
The whistleblower, identified only as Tom, told the media that government officials and parliamentarians used to use the House of Parliament prayer room to have sex and claimed that sex workers were brought into the building “for the pleasure of parliamentarians in the coalition “.
He also said that a group of employees used to exchange explicit photos of themselves and he received so many that he “became immune to it”.
He said that there is a “culture of men who think they can do whatever they want” and, although he does not think officials have violated any laws, “morally, they are broke”.
An aide was fired immediately and the government promised further action.
Women’s Minister Marise Payne said the revelations were “beyond disappointing” and stressed the need for a government-ordered investigation into parliament’s working culture.
Cabinet Minister Karen Andrews said she had an “absolute courage” for sexism in politics and her “conscience doesn’t allow me to be quiet anymore”.
She told reporters in Canberra that the ruling Liberal Party should consider gender quotas for its political representatives.
The new revelations of sexism on Tuesday prompted indigenous senator Lidia Thorpe to reveal the alleged sexual harassment by four male politicians since taking office just six months ago.
Thorpe, a representative of the Green party, told the Canberra Times that the “blatant” harassment included “suggestive” comments and unwanted touches.
“These are the men who write our laws – men who should know better,” she tweeted. “What they did is violate the behavior. It is physical. It is sexualizing and objective behavior – it makes me feel physically ill.”
The Australian parliament has repeatedly been criticized for a “toxic” culture in the workplace that has allegedly generated intimidation, harassment and sexual assault on women – particularly in the governing coalition.
Former government official Brittany Higgins publicly claimed last month that she had been raped by a colleague in a minister’s parliamentary office in 2019.
And earlier this month, Attorney General Christian Porter vigorously denied allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in 1988 when they were both students.
The controversies put increasing pressure on the prime minister, who, critics said, hampered the government’s response.
Morrison was thrilled at a press conference in Canberra on Tuesday when he talked about the importance of his wife, mother and daughters, also saying that the women went through a “very traumatic” month.
“These events have triggered, throughout this building and, indeed, across the country, women who have endured this rubbish and crap all their lives, as well as their mothers, like their grandmothers,” he said.
Tens of thousands of women attended this month’s “# March4Justice” rallies to protest sexual violence and gender inequality, calling for a systemic change in Australian politics and society in general.
The opposition Labor Party, which already has gender quotas in place, has not been immune to similar allegations. A group of Facebook workers recently detailed the alleged sexual harassment by male colleagues and politicians.
hr / arb / leg