Scott Morrison has ended the legal loophole that exempted politicians, judges and public servants from being held accountable for sexual harassment.
The law has previously prevented these workers, as well as some volunteers, from being caught up in workplace gender discrimination issues because they are 'technically not the complainant's employer', according to Al Jazeera.
Despite this loophole, they can still be up for criminal prosecution for sexual assault.
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But the Prime Minister wants to end the exemption to ensure workplaces are safe.
During a press conference, Scott Morrison said: "Sexual harassment is unacceptable. It's not only immoral and despicable and even criminal, but...it denies Australians, especially women, not just their personal security but their economic security by not being safe at work."
The move comes after a National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces was set up by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins and the then Minister for Women, Kelly O'Dwyer, back in 2018.
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The report was published in 2020 and found the system to reporting sexual harassment was 'complex and confusing' and there was a 'heavy burden on individuals to make a complaint'.
There were 55 recommendations contained in the report and ending the sexual harassment exemption for politicians, judges and public servants was one of them. The Australian government has agreed wholly to, in part, in principle, or noted all 55 suggestions.
Scott Morrison believes removing this exemption will be a 'game changer', adding: "It is changing the very narrative that will drive the appropriate actions needed right across governments and across our society. We believe our response, A Roadmap for Respect, will do the same thing."
Under the law overhaul, The Human Rights Act will be changed to give victims up to two years to come forward with a complaint instead of the current timeframe of six months.
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Sexual harassment, if proven, will also now be grounds for dismissal, and the government will be adding the term in the definition of serious misconduct to the Fair Work Act.
Mr Morrison is hopeful these steps will help revolutionise the culture at Parliament.
"The events around this building over the course of the past few months have only further highlighted and reinforced the seriousness of these issues, the challenge that we face and the great frustration that is felt by Australians and, in particular, women all over the country," the Prime Minister said.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Australia