SUBJECTS: Labor’s baby boom; Labor’s cheaper childcare policy; March 4 Justice; historic rape allegations against a Cabinet Minister; alleged sexual assault at Parliament House; workplace culture in Parliament House. 

AMANDA RISHWORTH, SHADOW MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT: Well, it is wonderful to be here with our returning Labor baby boom. As you can hear behind me, we have a range of babies make it to Parliament House today. And of course, this is only the first phase and we're expecting more babies to join us soon. But of course, on a serious note, Labor understands that it's difficult for working families. We've got many caucus members who are experiencing what it's like to juggle work-life balance. And that is something that Labor has been focused on and certainly something that was front of mind as we were designing our childcare policy. Our childcare policy removes many of the disincentives for the second income earner to go to work. We want every mum and dad in Australia to do the hours they want, to do the career they want and actually be able to pursue a fulfilling life of balancing family and career. But of course, we know that isn't necessarily the case at the moment. For many, the cost of childcare is just too big a barrier. The cost of childcare is getting in the way. And parents are just doing the sums and saying it's not worth going back to work. That is why Labor has designed a childcare policy that removes many of these barriers, it removes the cap that is a big disincentive, it flattens the taper rate, but importantly has an ambitious agenda of getting into a 90 per cent subsidy for all families, universal access to 90 per cent subsidy for childcare. This is a game-changer for working families in this country. It does need a Labor Government to deliver it and it needs Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister of this country to make sure that families get a fair go. 

ANTHONY ALBANESE, LEADER OF THE AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY: Well, thanks very much, Amanda. And I'm very pleased to do what is a unique press conference here. This is Benedict. And this is Oshy and Dash, Elena and Gilbert, the newest members of our family. But we also have Celeste here and we have Nicholas, who are very pleased to have had a little brother or a little sister into their respective families. We have had during last year, there's bit of a debate sometimes on social media, ‘Why are you giving pairs?’ This is what was happening last year, by the way. Labor has had our own little baby boom. And it's a fantastic thing. It's not the only reason why we have adopted a cheaper childcare policy. But certainly, it is the case that the fact that Labor is more representative of the general community means that we certainly have a complete understanding of what the challenges are facing working families. Of course, Lisa Chester's, to give a shout out, she is due to give birth to add to this collection. And I hope that these young bubs grow up together with their mums or dads being in Parliament for a considerable period of time. Labor's childcare policy isn't about welfare reform, it's about economic reform. It boosts the three Ps. Participation in the workforce, particularly participation of women. It boosts productivity as well because one of the things that holds back our economy is when women can't fully participate in the workforce. And the fact that there is currently a disincentive, because of the way that the childcare subsidy system works with the tax system, for a woman to work a fourth or a fifth day is something that holds back our businesses. And obviously, it's also something that holds back our population, the third P of the keys to economic growth. So we're very committed to this policy. We'll continue to campaign on it around the country. I was with Matt in Perth just a week ago. And I do want to give a shout-out to Mark McGowan and WA Labor for the quite extraordinary result that we saw in Western Australia on Saturday, a result that has reduced the Liberal Party into a motorbike with a sidecar, it would appear, and that's a great credit to Mark McGowan and WA Labor for keeping Western Australians safe. But also, for the work that they've done in strengthening the economy and jobs. We are going to hear from people here. 

ALICIA PAYNE, MEMBER FOR CANBERRA: Just very quickly, I am Alicia Payne, the Member for Canberra. This is Elena, it's not her first press conference, but it is our first day back in Parliament. And I just want to say this is not actually easy. It's not easy. But it's harder for many women and many families around the country who have no access to leave, whose partners, dads, have no access to leave to help support them, and who can't bring their babies into work when they need to. Their boss might not be as happy as Albo is when you walk in with a baby in arms on the days that you need to. So a Labor Government wants to get behind Australian families and make it easier for them to choose their careers and how much they work and balance that with caring for their children. And our childcare plan is part of that. And we will keep up the fight for Australian families. 

KATE THWAITES, MEMBER FOR JAGAJAGA: Hi, I'm Kate Thwaites. I'm the Member for Jagajaga. This is Gilbert. He is the baby of all the babies at just three months. And he's not happy about it. Today, more than ever, it feels important that we're in this building, and that we're in this building showing that women belong here, even with crying babies. There are a lot of women in Australia at the moment who feel like this place has forgotten them and has neglected them, that we don't understand what they are crying out to be heard. We hear you. We are here. And we are going to change this place. 

ANIKA WELLS, MEMBER FOR LILLEY: Hello, I'm Anika Wells. I'm the Federal Member for Lilley. This is Ossian and Amanda has Dashiell who are the first twins born to a Federal MP in office, which is certainly not a record I was looking to set. But here we are. The electorate Lilley is full of young families. And when they say to me, ‘I really wish that our national laws better supported what we're trying to do’. I say, me too. I am here as a beneficiary of Labor's quotas. And I am part of a legacy of women who worked for years and years to see more people like me in this building. So I see it as part of living up to that legacy to make sure that our time in that building is as useful as possible. Whether that's making laws to better support young families, whether that's laws to better support working women, or whether that's putting in place practices that clean up this building itself, then I'll be the first to do it. Because I'm really glad to be here. Thanks very much. 

MATT KEOGH, MEMBER FOR BURT: It's a shuffle here. And you've all seen that Albo has clearly got the knack when it comes to Benedict. We're going to leave him with the Albo all week, actually, because he's good at calming him. I just want to say a few things. One of them is this, I don't get to be able to do my job without Annabel as well. And this is a policy about parenting. Because parenting is complex. As you've seen Nicholas crawl across this floor, we know it's difficult. But it's difficult for all families in all different shapes and sizes. And this policy is about enabling those parents to do and pursue the careers they want to be able to pursue, to not be held back to not have to make a call to cut back to only a few days a week because our childcare system creates a disincentive for those parents to be able to pursue their careers and creates a disincentive for them to be able to get ahead economically, to be able to look after their families. And that's why Labor's policy is about enabling that. It's economic enablement, not just for the country because it takes a handbrake off the country, but it's enablement for families to be able to fulfil their dreams and desires for their families as well. And it's really important, we shouldn't forget this, for small business owners. There are so many, over a third of small business owners are women, but for small business owners, men and women, making sure we have a proper childcare policy that enables them to get back into their own businesses, to be able to encourage them to get their businesses thriving because they can get back into their business and provide support to their employees as well, is so very important. And that's why this childcare policy that enables people back into work, enables people back into business, takes the handbrake off the national economy at a time when we need to see it thrive is so very important. 

ALBANESE: Thanks very much, Matt. 

JOURNALIST: Mr Albanese, have you learnt that there are very serious allegations that have been raised on the Elizabeth Reid Network on the weekend about women in your Party and Government that you served say about the conduct of male staffers and male MPs? 

ALBANESE: Yes, I have. 

JOURNALIST: And what's your reaction? 

ALBANESE: Well, these are, of course, very disappointing. And one of the things that I've said, though, is that harassment and sexist behaviour, and indeed, patriarchy doesn't exist just on one side of politics. It exists throughout society. We need to make sure we listen to the concerns that are put forward and respond. In fact, it is a good thing that women in the Labor Party have this Facebook site that they have through the Elizabeth Reid Network. I'm obviously not a member of that network, but I certainly have read what was said, and it is of real concern. That's one of the reasons why we put in place a range of mechanisms with the process chaired by Sharon Claydon and as our Caucus chair, but also with organisational representatives of the National Executive and adopted at our last meeting four different policies, a code of conduct, a sexual harassment policy, a bullying policy, and as well, a complaints process so that we have transparency. Women need to feel safe in every workplace and, indeed, every part of society. And what we need to do is to make sure we listen to those concerns and respond. That's what today's rally outside is about. I will be participating and listening today to what women in their many thousands around Australia will be saying. 

JOURNALIST: Is the process enough to deal with historical allegations? Some of these allegations have been made ten years ago. You have called for a lot of independent inquiries when it comes to the Government. Are you setting up any process to deal with allegations that have been made or are the processes you have set up enough? 

ALBANESE: We have had a process established, established not by me, it has been led by the women in the Labor Party, including the Caucus chair. They made recommendations after consultation with both former and current staff. There are processes there that are available. And I would encourage women to come forward. I encourage women to speak out. I encourage men to listen to those concerns and to respond. 

JOURNALIST: Do you believe the allegations? And if you do, what does that mean for the Labor Party? 

ALBANESE: What we have is in terms of allegations, no names have been put forward in the documentation that I have seen that has been reported by Sam. But I encourage people to come forward. We have a process. 

JOURNALIST: Are you looking at opening investigations? 

ALBANESE: We have a process. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: It is hard to look into anonymous suggestions. That is the truth. If people have ideas about doing that, I would be happy to hear them. We have discussed it. I have spoken to a range of women leaders in the Caucus yesterday and again today. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: I believe women who come forward. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: I cannot respond to a question as vague as that. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: You have to be, with respect, more specific. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: Sure. 

JOURNALIST: When the Government dragged its feet on the Banking Royal Commission, Labor moved in Parliament to set one up and force their hand. Why don't you do here? To have an independent inquiry into the treatment of women in Parliament in a way that can protect all staff, not just these internal processes that only benefit staffers on their own side? 

ALBANESE: Sorry?

JOURNALIST: During the Banking Royal Commission, Labor tried to set up an inquiry through Parliament. Why are you not doing that now? 

ALBANESE: Into what specific level? 

JOURNALIST: On treatment of staffers. 

ALBANESE: An inquiry has been established under Kate Jenkins. That has happened. I don't understand the question. 

JOURNALIST: When names are made public, will you call for them to step aside? 

ALBANESE: I will not deal with things hypothetically in advance. If there are positions put forward against anyone in the Labor Party, that should be dealt with at the time. 

JOURNALIST: Even though those names are not public, they are widely known. 

ALBANESE: I am not aware of any claims put forward against any members of the Caucus. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: I am happy to listen. There are processes that are always available to deal with these issues. I was not aware of a couple of issues. I was aware of an issue last year that was dealt with to the satisfaction of the woman involved. 

JOURNALIST: You say you are not aware of the people behind these allegations. Do you want to know who they are? Do you want to deal with this? 

ALBANESE: Yes. But that is a matter for them in terms of the way that this has occurred. There is a Facebook group where people are able to talk anonymously, I think, is the way that I understand it. I am not a member of that group. It is there for women to be able to talk with other women about these issues. I am certainly available to talk to anyone in the Caucus who has any complaints. And indeed, I would say that we have published a process including a complaints procedure process as part of what the National Executive adopted just a month ago. 

JOURNALIST: Should the organisers for the Women's March 4 Justice take up the Prime Minister's offer to meet with him? 

ALBANESE: It is certainly not up to me to tell the women who have organised this march how to act appropriately. 

JOURNALIST: You have been critical of Scott Morrison for not knowing about the allegations made about Brittany Higgins and that sort of thing. Are you disappointed that these matters were not brought to your attention earlier? Some of them are very serious. 

ALBANESE: Hang on. There is an allegation about a reported sexual assault on a Minister's couch 50 metres from the Prime Minister's office where we know at least three ministers knew. We know at least four members of the Prime Minister staff knew and we know that other people, including Parliament House security, the cleaners, other people, were aware of these issues. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: Where did I say that, Chris? Where did I say that? 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

JOURNALIST: Be very clear about what I said about Christian Porter and what I said on the record. We release transcripts and I have been asked about this many times and I have been totally consistent. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: My consistent position is this. There needs to be an independent inquiry into Christian Porter because there has not been any examination of the allegations that have been put forward. The police said that they were not able to further investigate. We now know that in the last few days that the New South Wales Police were not forwarded the document that was given to the Prime Minister and that he forwarded to the AFP. We also know that somebody has come forward who knew the woman at the centre of these allegations at the time and someone who knew Christian Porter, and that person has said that they had discussions with the woman about what she alleged at the time, or just a year after. We also know that this person has said they had discussions with Christian Porter. What we also know is that Christian Porter is the first law officer of the land. He is the country's Attorney-General and he is in charge of our legal system. One of the things that I have said is that it is in my view just not realistic to do what the Prime Minister has said, which is to say that everybody should just move on and unsee and unhear what they now know has been suggested without any examination. 

JOURNALIST: (Inaudible). 

ALBANESE: I have not seen any allegations against any specific individuals. What we have here is a very specific allegation against Christian Porter with a name attached, with documentation, with people coming forward, saying that they had knowledge at the time of those issues. What we have is a Prime Minister whose response to that consisted of having a discussion with Christian Porter and saying that he believed the words that Christian Porter said, but a Prime Minister also who didn't bother to read the documentation that was forwarded, including the documentation that directly came from the woman concerned. 

JOURNALIST: Mr Albanese, the allegations that you are familiar with, you said there was one case that you were. The one that you are familiar with, did that involve an allegation of sexual harassment or sexual assault? 

ALBANESE: The woman has asked that it be dealt with confidentially. It was dealt with at the time to the satisfaction of the woman concerned. And she, certainly, was satisfied with the way that it was dealt with. It was dealt with very directly. Thanks very much. 

ENDS