Speak Safely

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (14:37): My question is for the Attorney-General. Will he please inform the council about the new online reporting tool called Speak Safely that has been launched by the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:37): I thank the honourable member for his important question. I would be very pleased to inform the chamber about the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner's recent launch of a new online free and anonymous reporting tool called Speak Safely, created for lawyers and others working in the legal profession, to provide an ability to anonymously report instances of inappropriate personal behaviour.

The newly available tool is accessible through the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner's website and enables victims, witnesses and other concerned parties to report inappropriate behaviour. People witnessing such inappropriate behaviour or are subject to the behaviour in the legal profession are still encouraged, if a person feels comfortable, to make a formal complaint through the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner's website, which is a different process from the anonymous reporting that this new facility allows.

The Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner recognises that there may be barriers, however, to making a formal complaint, which was previously the only option available where people potentially have feared any negative implications or repercussions from embarking on an official complaint process proceeding. This new platform aims to break down some of these barriers.

The online reporting tool now allows anyone making a report to provide as much or as little detail as they are comfortable with, and the option remains also of making a formal complaint to embark on the official complaint proceedings. Importantly, this new online anonymous reporting tool is in keeping with the recommendations of the Acting Commissioner for Equal Opportunity's report. In 2021, the Review of Harassment in the Legal Profession noted overwhelming support for an anonymous reporting system to help address the serious and under-reported problems in the legal profession.

The data collected by the Legal Profession Conduct Commissioner through this new anonymous reporting tool will also be able to contribute to guiding any further steps needed to be taken by the commissioner. The government views these sorts of inappropriate behaviours as totally unacceptable, and it is very pleased that the commissioner has been able to bring this important change to fruition. It is one of a number of steps in attempting to stamp out the behaviour in this profession.

Anyone who has experienced sexual harassment, discrimination or bullying in the legal profession but who is unwilling to make a formal complaint is now able to and encouraged to use the Speak Safely tool in the first instance, as well as all other supports that are available.