SARAH ABO: Well, hopes are fading for a better culture at Parliament House as we continue to see both sides of politics accuse each other of using serious assault allegations for political purposes. Joining us to discuss today's headlines is Northern Territory Senator Malarndirri McCarthy in Canberra and editor of the Sunday Mail and Saturday Courier-Mail, Anna Caldwell in Brisbane. Thank you both so much for your time. Malarndirri, I want to start with you, if I could. Now we saw the Jenkins report look into this very issue and the hope was that it would improve conditions for those working in Parliament. Do you think we're ever going to see a healthier culture in Canberra?
NT SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY: Well, I certainly do, Sarah. There was a great deal of work that went into the Jenkins review and so many women came forward with their stories on a very personal and anonymous capacity to be able to help direct what the future should look like in Parliament. And, you know, it's important that we remember the work of those people involved with that. And I do believe and I don't give up hope. I do believe that we now have structures in place to assist staff, politicians going forward in the environment here at Parliament.
ABO: Malarndirri Obviously there are good people in parliament, right? But this does risk tainting everyone. This kind of makes every one look bad, It really does.
MCCARTHY: Well, it's important to remember that it's actually not about us in the Parliament, and I do reflect on that quite a bit, especially in the past few days, that it is about the men and women across Australia, but in particular the women and children. It is important to be able to be a good example of decency and respect. And you know, we all have to ask ourselves and that includes those who report on what's happening in the Parliament. Are you doing it in a way that is fair? Are you doing it in a way that is responsible and are you mindful of what triggers this may also have not only on those who work in the Parliament, but those obviously who are in our country.