A broad and legally defined set of standards for federal parliamentarians and an independent oversight body are needed to keep politicians accountable, a new independent MP says.
MP for the Sydney seat of Mackellar Sophie Scamps has submitted six principles to help regulate the behaviour of politicians following the landmark Set the Standard report.
"(The report) exposed rampant bullying, harassment, and disrespectful behaviour with serious detrimental impacts on staffers and parliamentarians - who were mostly women," she wrote in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into standards.
"At present, there are lower professional standards in our parliament which would be unacceptable in any other workplace in Australia. As a doctor, I had to abide by strict standards.
"Sporting codes, the legal profession, and businesses also have standards with regulatory agencies and consequences for behaviour that breaches these codes."
Dr Scamps recommends legislating a broad set of standards to cover actions within parliament, electorate offices and external events as well as an independent oversight and compliance body with a low bar for referrals.
The proposed body would be given the same powers as the auditor-general, who can direct a person to give evidence under oath and provide documents.
The body would also be able to give confidential advice to parliamentarians and their staff.
A parliamentary committee with a non-government majority should have oversight of the body and reporting of breaches should be transparent, Dr Scamps said.
Remedies and sanctions for breaches should also be clearly defined and strong enough to act as a deterrent.
"It is only possible for the government to pursue tough reforms and actions when trust is high," she wrote.
"Parliament also sets the culture for the rest of society.
"Let us not wait any longer. Standards are overdue."
