In Australia, MP Fiona Carrick apologised for breaching the code — ABC News Australia
In Australia, independent member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly Fiona Carrick apologised to parliament over her conduct during a meeting with staff, which was found to have breached the assembly members’ code of conduct. As ABC News reports, the incident occurred in May during a weekly meeting attended by four staff members.
One of the staff members lodged a formal complaint. Standards Commissioner Ken Crispin concluded that Carrick breached the code when she shouted at an employee despite repeated requests to stop, swore, banged on the table and threatened in front of other staff not to renew the employment contract.
Committee recommendation
The commissioner referred the matter to the assembly’s standing committee on administration and procedure. The committee recommended that the MP apologise to the assembly, and she complied with this recommendation. Carrick said her conduct that day did not meet either the standards she expects of herself or those reasonably expected of assembly members.
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She also said that she had already apologised to those involved in the incident and stressed her commitment to creating a respectful, collegial and safe working environment. According to her, the current staff team works collaboratively and effectively.
Tensions in the office
The committee’s report states that the MP acknowledged raising her voice, using inappropriate language and discussing one employee’s employment in the presence of colleagues. According to the committee, the commissioner described this as an isolated outburst of frustration and noted that Carrick acknowledged the unprofessional nature of her actions.
At the same time, information from staff indicated previous tensions in her office and allegations of an inadequate response to formal and informal bullying complaints. According to the committee, the tension arose from interpersonal difficulties between two staff members. Carrick was advised to conduct an independent investigation, but instead organised a workplace communication seminar for the team, which did not produce the expected result. She later engaged an independent workplace consultant. The commissioner noted that the MP made good-faith but unsuccessful attempts to resolve the tensions and conflicts.
