An alarming number of allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment and bullying have been brought to light in a final report into workplace culture and safety at Parliament House.

One in three parliamentary staffers who responded to the report, say they have been sexually harassed while working in the building with more than half of those incidents involving a perpetrator in a more senior position.

It has made 28 recommendations.

Minister for Women and Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said she was disappointed but “unfortunately not that surprised” by the findings.

“I have had many, many conversations this year about these issues with people who have either seen or have experienced themselves these issues,” she told Scott Emerson.

One of the recommendations included targets for gender balance for MPs.

Ms Payne said gender quotas should form part of the discussion, but disagreed that quotas for sitting members would help improve the incidence of sexual harassment or misconduct.

But Scott pressed Ms Payne on the issue.

“Kate Jenkins did point to the fact that a gender balance is one of the factors that has lead to this situation, if you are not seeing quotas in the Liberal Party, you’re continuing to see that imbalance in terms of genders in MPs, that situation is going to continue based on the evidence from Kate Jenkins today.”

Press PLAY below to hear her response

Federal Labor MP Milton Dick said he was shocked and it was long overdue.

“I think the 28 or so recommendations which have been delivered will be very sobering for everyone who works in that building,” he told Scott Emerson.

“This isn’t now just a report that is going to sit on anyone’s desk or gather dust.

“This is now the moment where I think our nation’s capital and Parliament has to take action.

“It’s in black and white.”

Press PLAY below to hear what he hopes happen now

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