From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 19 December

Victorian Senator David Van’s yobbish behaviour in the Federal Senate, and for which he later apologised, is an unsettling manifestation of power-drunk, immature antics, and starkly reminiscent of a hubristic boys’ club.

WHETHER or not Senator Van did, or did not, make growling, dog noises while Senator Jacqui Lambie was speaking is a truth which only he, and several of his nearby colleagues knows for certain; however, the gravity of the behaviour, and the ugly lack of regard for Senator Lambie, did prompt Senator Penny Wong to call for the remarks to be withdrawn. Predictably, no senator was man enough to claim responsibility. She added, “Gee, you’re tough aren’t you? You’re happy to dish it out, but not happy to take responsibility.”

Later, Senator Van conceded his persistent interjections were inappropriate but rejected blame for the extraneous noises.

Paradoxically, the deplorable, misogynistic display of workplace bullying occurred at the same time Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, released her report – and which makes for sombre reading. It found, distressingly, nearly two-thirds of female MPs had experienced sexual harassment. More than half of all people in Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces experienced at least one incident of bullying, sexual harassment, or actual or attempted sexual assault. Also, it found in a quarter of sexual harassment incidents the perpetrator was a parliamentarian.

The conclusions, which are truly shameful in their implications, should be enough to galvanise into action every voter in this country. While we should not demonise politicians, it is time for an immediate cultural change. They need to be reminded: the parliament is not a stomping-ground for those smart-alecs fixated with their own celebrity; or hell-bent on pursuing a personal trajectory. The persistent, improper political shenanigans has cost public life a number of excellent women, including former Prime Minster, Julia Gillard, and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop.

The Van viciousness directed at Senator Lambie, coupled with the content of the commissioner’s report, prompted me to email Senator Van’s office. It read, “With respect Senator, you need to learn to behave yourself. Your behaviour was, to put it into modern parlance, a bloody disgrace! A mea culpa does not exonerate you.

“Your lack of regard deserves the full weight of public opprobrium. You need to take time to reflect, seriously.

“You sit in the parliament – the highest office in the land – not some silly, misogynistic, childish boys’ playground!

“It is little wonder the public hold politicians in such low regard.

Signed: Sincerely RR.”

Characteristically, there has not been, nor do I expect, a reply.

Revealingly, MP Christian Porter, on announcing his retirement from the Federal Parliament, lamented, “There are few, if any, constants left in modern politics. Perhaps the only certainty now is that there appears to be no limit to what some will say, or allege, or do, to gain an advantage over a perceived enemy.”

Regardless of political persuasion, Mr Porter’s sentiments are worthy of considered reflection. There is no place for anti-social behaviour in the Australia workforce.

Degree of difficulty and vicissitudes notwithstanding, we all must demand there be an immediate change in workplace behaviour.

The litany of offences is disturbing. The onus of responsibility rests with federal parliament to lead by example.

It is an accepted custom that we should never speak ill of the dead!

Equally, the ninth commandment tells us, “Thou Shalt Not Bare False Witness”. Therefore, it follows, ipso fact, if you have faith in tenets of the Ten Commandments, and are afeared of breaking the word of God, you will not lie about the dead. You will speak the truth – regardless.

Conversely, I did have cause to hesitate and consider for a moment when I was accused of ‘besmirching’ a departed.

In the process of gathering-up there is no miracle; no process of transmogrification which turns the unlikable into a veritable Mary Poppins. In short, what they were for some before death is what they remain after death: horrible people.

Public figures are exactly that – public figures. The persona you see on the television screen, hear on the radio, or read about in newspapers, is not necessarily a true representation of their character. We are what we are, by performance.

It would be a serious error in judgment to imagine you know someone through any form of the media. You should take much of it with a grain of salt.

In my experience, some of them were, and are, quite horrid!

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald each Monday – 10.45am on radio 3BA and contacted via [email protected].