In February 2021, Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, tasked a review of the procedures and processes involved in identifying, reporting and responding to serious incidents that occur during parliamentary employment. This was triggered by deeply distressing reports of an alleged sexual assault in a ministerial office in March 2019 made public the previous day. The Prime Minister asked that the review be conducted by Stephanie Foster PSM, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and that it provide recommendations on how to ensure independence from the employer in such processes, empowerment to victims, and timely, effective and ongoing services and support.

This report has been released to enable briefing for government, opposition, other parties, cross bench and staff. Once their feedback has been received, a final report will be provided to government.