EXCLUSIVE: Senator Cox responds to workplace allegations

By Senator DORINDA COX 

I refer to recent media reporting regarding me and my office.

There is disappointingly significant missing context in this reporting. There are parts of the reporting that reflect staff grievances that were not presented to me, or that were assessed and not progressed by the independent Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

Politics is a challenging and high pressure environment, especially as a First Nations Woman with five Federal portfolios and competing priorities, including Australia’s largest geographical electorate.

There have been many challenges during my first three years in office including the covid epidemic, taking on the First Nations portfolio alongside the Voice Referendum and leading many significant Committee inquiries.

All whilst establishing and recruiting two office based teams to secure my six year term with the ambition of an effective, safe and supportive work environment. As the employer, I take responsibility for any shortcomings in what has occurred during this period and I apologise for the distress this may have caused.

I have an immense amount of respect and gratitude to my team who prepare and support me for the work I undertake. I have always taken a proactive approach to staff wellbeing, including my own, which led me to undertake executive coaching as a form of development and mentoring from former MPs.

Which is why I chose on two occasions to commission independent cultural diagnostic health checks of my office. On any occasion where issues were raised with me, my team and myself proactively worked with PWSS and continue to do so, to implement and maintain a continuous improvement plan for team culture, management and wellbeing.

In my role as a leader within my office and community I have received consistent and overwhelming support for the work I have undertaken and continue to provide in my role as the first ever First Nations female

Senator for WA. I am fully aware of and take seriously the responsibilities that come with this achievement.

My ongoing engagement and support for the processes of PWSS I convey through my daily interactions with staff to track our progress and achievements for a safe and supportive workplace.

I have also received consistent encouragement from the Greens Leader to engage with PWSS, as well as my other MP and Senate colleagues.