Document 11
STATEMENT FROM BRITTANY HIGGINS
Today I have reengaged with Australian Federal Police and will proceed
with a formal complaint regarding the crime committed against me in what
should be the safest building in Australia.
By publicly coming forward with my experience in Parliament House, I’ve
sought to achieve two things.
Firstly, I want a comprehensive police investigation into what happened to
me on 22/23 March 2019 and for my perpetrator to face the full force of the
law.
The Australian Federal Police have made assurances to me that they will
handle this matter thoroughly and transparently. I would also ask that they
handle it in a timely manner as to date, I have waited a long time for justice.
Secondly, given my experience, I am determined to drive significant reform
in the way the Australian Parliament handles issues of this nature and
treats ministerial and parliamentary staff more generally.
I expect a truly independent investigation into how my matter was handled
inside the government including offices where I worked, and other offices
and parties that had knowledge of my circumstances.
I believe that getting to the bottom of what happened to me and how the
system failed me is critical to creating a new framework for political staff
that ensures genuine cultural change and restores the trust of staff.
In addition to an independent investigation into what happened to me, I
demand a significant review into the conditions under which ministerial and
parliamentary staff are employed and how we can do better.
Political advisers have very few protections, resources and confidential
reporting mechanisms to address any workplace issues. They are not
public servants and work in an extremely high-pressure environment. Too
often, a toxic workplace culture can emerge that enables inappropriate
conduct and this is exacerbated by the disparity in the power dynamics.
How ministerial and parliamentary staff are treated is a bipartisan issue that
impacts staff from across the political spectrum and must be treated as
such.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly told the Parliament that I should be
given ‘agency’ going forward. I don’t believe that agency was provided to
me over the past two years but I seize it now and have advised the
Prime Minister’s Office that I expect a voice in framing the scope and terms
of reference for a new and significant review into the conditions for all
ministerial and parliamentary staff. It is important that the reform is real and
drives change beyond dealing with just what happened to me, and how the
system let me down.
From the outset, I have driven by my desire to ensure that no other person
would have to go through the trauma that I experienced during my time in
Parliament House.
I was failed repeatedly, but I now have my voice, and I am determined to
use to ensure that this is never allowed to happen to another member of
staff again.
This has been a very difficult and trying week for me, my partner and
my family. I would ask please that my privacy is respected as I now deal
with the processes I have outlined in this statement. I do not intend to make
any further public comment at this time.
ENDS
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