Political staffers have had their concerns eased over privacy worries relating to an independent review into the workplace culture at Parliament House.
Draft legislation was quickly introduced and passed by the Senate on Thursday night to ensure information given to the review cannot be accessed through freedom of information requests.
The Senate will not sit again until May, so the quick passage ensures the House of Representatives can pass the bill next week to alleviate staff concerns.
Leader of the government in the Senate Simon Birmingham said the bill would amend archives and FOI laws to protect information in the independent review.
"This review is an historic opportunity ... to ensure our workplace is an exemplar for the nation in terms of the way in which it prevents bullying, sexual harassment and sexual assault," he said.
"(And) the way it ensures we have leading practices not only for the prevention of such acts but also for the handling of them when they occur."
The independent review will be conducted by Australia's Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.
While access to information provided by staffers could have been blocked through existing FOI privacy provisions, Senator Birmingham conceded such decisions could be appealed.
Labor senator Don Farrell had a simple message for the party's staff.
"This is your workplace, you deserve nothing but a completely safe and supportive environment," he said.
"As Labor parliamentarians we have a special duty to you, our staff, to fight for you internally just as hard as we fight for every worker externally."
Greens senator Larissa Waters said it was important for people to share their stories to the review without being scared sensitive information could be released.
"I'm hopeful that this legislative fix will remove any chilling effect that might otherwise have applied," she said.
"We want this review to be as fulsome and comprehensive as it can be."
Crossbench senator Rex Patrick raised concerns the changes would cover the government's submissions to the review, urging the coalition to table any submissions it makes while blocking out sensitive personal information.
The government assured senators the review itself would be released.
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