Parliament needs 'cultural shift' not code

Parliamentary department heads, human rights advocates and legal experts will give evidence at the first public hearing for a committee examining the code of conduct proposal on Monday.

Prime Minister Anthony Albaanese committed to implementing a code of conduct following recommendations in the landmark review of parliamentary workplace culture by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.

But gender policy expert Sonia Palmieri said improving standards would require more than a code determining what is and isn't appropriate behaviour.

"It will require a significant cultural shift in the way we value and legitimise the contribution of women and other marginalised people in the process and outputs of all parliamentary work," she said in her submission.

Dr Palmieri proposed parliament establish a "gender sensitivity audit" of its three main functions in representation, law making and oversight.

She said gender sensitivity assessments had become more common in parliaments around the world and would help mainstream gender equality in the work of the parliament.

The heads of four departments which make up the parliament - budget office, parliamentary services, Senate and House of Representatives - said a code of conduct would provide greater certainty to address unacceptable behaviour by parliamentarians and their staff.

"Such codes could be supported by examples of what might or might not be considered unacceptable behaviour, which might include rudeness, bullying and harassment, as well as unreasonable requests made of our staff," the submission said.

"This would help inform the training we do with our staff and complement the bullying and harassment policies we have that detail our approach to dealing with unacceptable behaviour, no matter the source."

Australian Associated Press