The findings of an investigation into bullying allegations were handed to the government minister at the centre of the claims but not to a single one of the complainants, a Senate estimates committee has heard.
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A former chief of staff to Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt alleged the minister had fostered a toxic culture within his office, leading to the alleged bullying of a number of staffers and triggering an investigation by the Finance Department.
The former staff member claimed she was sacked by the minister five weeks into the new role at his office after she alleged another senior staff member was bullying junior staffers.
"I can't explain to you how dysfunctional that office was," the former senior staffer told Nine newspapers in 2019.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young asked senior department officials on Tuesday evening why the final report and its findings had not been released to the complainants, despite being delivered more than a year ago.
First assistant secretary David de Silva said the report, which was not "short", had been delivered to Mr Wyatt in accordance with the policy.
The final report had been blocked from release despite the former senior staffer lodging a freedom of information request for it.
Deputy secretary Clare Walsh said the document could not be released due to the sensitive nature of the personal details contained within it.
Senator Hanson-Young asked why a report into misconduct allegations within a minister's office had been handed to a minister partially accused of the alleged wrongdoing.
Mr de Silva said the policy outlined that reports should be handed to the employing minister, who was Mr Wyatt in this case.
The Finance Minister, Senator Simon Birmingham, who represented the government at the committee, said he agreed the process needed changing and believed the recently announced Jenkins review would be the needed spark for it.
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"I hope there will be changes to processes," Senator Birmingham said.
"I do accept that the current legal and regulatory frameworks that are in place have created levels of discontent.
The review into Parliament House's workplace culture by sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins was launched following allegations of rape made by former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.
The review will assess whether existing the frameworks and legislation promote or impede safe and respectful workplaces.
While stamping out sexual violence remains a core aim of the review, it will also seek to address issues of bullying and harassment among staffers.
"We recognise the significant public interest in this issue and the need to ensure matters will be treated with sensitivity, confidentiality, and be trauma-informed," Ms Jenkins said earlier this month.
"I urge every staff member to share their experiences with us via a written submission or interview."