Brittany Higgins to meet with Scott Morrison to push for cultural changes in Canberra

The former Liberal staffer said it was disappointing she had not heard from the Prime Minister's office since they initially made contact more than two weeks ago.

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

Source: AAP

Brittany Higgins plans to push Scott Morrison for changes to workplace culture in Parliament House when the two meet.

Ms Higgins, who alleges she was raped by a colleague in a federal minister's office two years ago, has accepted an invitation to meet with the Prime Minister.

"This decision wasn't made lightly," she said on Wednesday.

"However, things cannot be improved unless people are willing to come together and speak plainly about these difficult issues."
Ms Higgins said it was disappointing she had not heard from the prime minister's office since they initially made contact on 6 April.

"I'm hopeful the meeting will proceed," she said.

"After two months, a national protest and countless other horrifying stories, the time for action is now."

Mr Morrison said organising the meeting was "in process" and claimed his staff heard from Ms Higgins last week.

"It's an important meeting. I'm looking forward to having it," he told reporters on the NSW Central Coast on Wednesday.

"We've been obviously following up on that now, and I look forward to having a meeting arranged soon."
Ms Higgins helped spark a national conversation around sexual assault and power within institutions in recent months after coming forward with allegations of being raped in Parliament House.

Since she spoke out, several more allegations have surfaced against Australian politicians and political staffers.

The 26-year-old returned to the lawns of Parliament House to address thousands of people who attended the Women's March4Justice rally in Canberra last month, where she spoke of her hopes of protecting other women from sexual violence. 

She is now working on a memoir, which will "shine a light on the culture inside the corridors of power" and call for "desperately needed" changes at Parliament House.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.  

Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at Beyondblue.org.auEmbrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 


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Source: AAP, SBS


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