ACT MLAs speak on 'entrenched culture of misogyny'

It came as the ACT government introduced a raft of policies aimed at tackling sexual assault and harassment in the assembly on Tuesday.

The Assembly agreed to develop a code of practice and guidelines for Canberra workplaces to address gender-based violence including sexual harassment.

And members from the three parties came together to express support for a working group to co-ordinate responses to sexual assault in the ACT.

Members from across the three parties spoke about their experiences and responses to recent allegations of sexual misconduct in federal politics.

Minister for Women Yvette Berry said the treatment of women in workplaces across the country was unacceptable.

"On Monday, March 15, many of my Assembly colleagues and I stood beside thousands of other women at Parliament House to March 4 Justice," Ms Berry said.

"We are demanding a future in which women are treated with dignity and respect."

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee spoke about International Women's Day. She questioned the theme "choose to challenge" as many women were not given a choice.

"For so many women in our community - particularly for women from multicultural communities; our First Nations women; women from the LGBTIQ+ community; women with disabilities - it is not a choice to challenge - to challenge the status quo; to challenge the patriarchy; to challenge the systemic inequalities that exist for them," she said.

"I know because she is my mother. I know because she was me."

Labor MLA Dr Marisa Paterson spoke about how recent allegations from Parliament House represented a "seismic shift" in Australia.

"When Brittany Higgins disclosed on national television that she was allegedly raped at Parliament House, the nation went into freefall," she said.

"Allegation after allegation of rape, sexual harassment, unprofessional behaviour - to say the least - exposed an entrenched culture of misogyny in Parliament House."

Canberra Liberals spokesperson for women Nicole Lawder detailed her experiences of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

She spoke about the time she was trapped in a photocopying room with a boss "who cops a feel every time he can" and former older co-worker who made lewd comments about a root canal appointment.

As well, Ms Lawder spokes about the times she was looked over for promotion that were instead given to a man and being asked to make coffee at a meeting when she was the most senior staff member but the only woman.

"These are the types of actions that so many women have experienced [and] continue to experience," she said.

Greens MLA Jo Clay said women were "downright furious".

"We're all disgusted and furious but we're not surprised because we've seen this our whole lives," she said.

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Ms Berry used her annual statement on the status of women and girls to announce the government's new working group to work on responses to sexual assault.

Members from across the three parties will participate in the group along with victim advocates, members from the service sector and unions.

But it was not all harmonious, in Ms Berry's statement to the Assembly she also spoke about the government's women's caucus, which is aimed at tackling issues that face women and girls in the territory.

However, Only Labor and Greens members were invited to the caucus.

Ms Lee said the exclusion of Liberal women members was "extremely disappointing", and it meant no women of colour were in the caucus.

"The women in my team come from diverse backgrounds and bring diverse experiences," she said.

"It is disappointing that the minister's women's caucus will not have a single member who can bring lived experiences of being a woman of colour in our community."

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