WHAT THE INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF PARLIAMENT'S WORKPLACES AND STAFF WILL AND WON'T DO
* Led by Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.
* The review will consider how people who work in parliament can be treated with dignity and respect and have access to clear and effective reporting and support mechanisms if they are not.
* The review will not be investigating or making findings about individual allegations as part of the inquiry.
* Government Senate leader Simon Birmingham says the review is about achieving system change.
* The opposition, minor parties and independents have had a say in establishing the review into the workplaces of parliamentarians and their staff. Brittany Higgins has also been consulted.
* The aim is to ensure all parliamentary workplaces - in Canberra and in electorates - are safe and respectful and that parliament reflects best practice in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
* Current and former Parliament House and ministerial staff are encouraged to share their experiences to build a safer, more respectful workplace for everyone.
* The adequacy of current response and reporting mechanisms will be assessed and anyone participating in the review has access to support services, including specialist trauma counselling.
* The review will assess whether current laws, policies, processes and practices work against safe and respectful environments and the reporting of incidents.
* All Commonwealth agencies are required to cooperate fully with the review, including the AFP.
* Working to a November deadline to report to government, there will be an interim update to the public in July.
* Findings and recommendations must focus on practical measures to achieve best practice in the prevention and handling of workplace bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault.
* The Australian Human Rights Commission will be provided with additional resources to cover the cost of supporting the review.
Australian Associated Press
