The leaked draft policy also has a disciplinary action section,which states in some circumstances it may be necessary to take disciplinary actions “including sanctions”.
Section 9.3 states “an individual who fails to comply with their responsibilities under this policy may be referred to an appropriate body and subject to disciplinary action.” Support can also be offered in conjunction with sanctions including “referral to rehabilitation or counselling and assistance in returning to work”.
Deputy Nationals leader Perin Davey’s post to Facebook.Credit:Facebook
Davey,the Nationals deputy leader,has been contacted for comment. She is also the co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Spirits which meets with Australian distilled spirits industry stakeholders to support the sector.
In a post to Facebook on February 5,Davey shared a photo of an advent calendar of Australian whisky that was given to her for her birthday.
“24 individuals shots complete with tasting notes and info about the distilleries so I know where to go for more,” she wrote.
The Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce membership includes Davey,Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley,Coalition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume,Minister for Women Katy Gallagher and Special Minister of State Don Farrell. It is responsible for implementing the recommendations of the landmark Jenkins review into respect at work.
The draft alcohol and drugs policy has been referred to the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service and is expected to be finalised and completed soon.
Two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity so they could discuss the taskforce’s work confirmed the alcohol policy had been expected to be released by the end of last year,but it had been delayed.
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The draft policy does not propose a ban on alcohol in federal parliament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a press conference in Perth on Monday that all politicians had a responsibility to act in a way that showed respect for voters who had sent them to parliament.
“There’s no alcohol in my office. Tim Gartrell put that in place a long time ago,as my chief of staff. So there are events in Parliament House – a bit of common sense should apply. People are adults and they should behave responsibly like any adult should,” he said.
The Labor Party caucus room also has an informal dry policy and there have been no staff or parliamentarian drinking events hosted in the room.
However,there are no official policies in place for individual MPs and whether they have drinks events in their own offices.
The newly formed parliamentary standards watchdog promised in 2021 has been delayed as MPs debate the scope of any powers to suspend or sanction politicians.
Finding agreement between the major parties on legislative details would prove tricky,Gallagher said in a Senate hearing last week,because of politicians’ sensitivities about setting up a powerful agency policing their actions.
“Because this is a politically charged environment,it is different from a lot of workplaces and I think people are naturally cautious about setting up systems where people can be brought before it and punished,” Gallagher said.
Nationals leader David Littleproud and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both defended Davey’s conduct on Monday morning,expressing confidence in her work as a senator.
“We just need to take a cold shower on this. Perin Davey has admitted she had a couple of drinks,but she was not drunk,” Littleproud told Sky News.
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“It was a long day,and I think we all slur our words from time to time,and I think this is a bit of an overreach.”
Last Thursday in question time,teal MP Zali Steggall – who is also a member of the taskforce – asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese if he would consider subjecting MPs to random drug and alcohol tests.
“It is not something that I have supported,” the prime minister replied. “I would have thought that we are all responsible adults,and we should act appropriately out of respect for the people who vote to put us here.”