National Senator Bridget Mckenzie has questioned Transportation Secretary Jim Betts about a “hotties list” allegedly distributed by young men in his department’s graduate program that ranks women’s physical appearance.
“Does the phrase ‘Hotties list’ mean anything to Mr. Betts?” Senator Mckenzie asked during Senate estimates on Monday.
The senior transport official could be heard sighing.
“You’re going to go this way aren’t you Senator? The one I warned you about,” Betts replied.
He later confirmed that he was informed of reports from several female graduates about “certain male members” of the graduate cohort compiling a “demeaning list” of women who judged them on their “hotness”.
“Faced with that concern, I then gathered the graduate cohort and reminded everyone about the need for respect in the workplace,” he said.
Australian Senator Bridget Mckenzie asked Transport Secretary Jim Betts about the existence of a “Hotties List” made by staff in his department about women. Australian Senate
“We have subsequently taken up a more formal investigation into the matter.”
Betts said no graduates had been dismissed as a result of the allegations and confirmed he had not briefed Transport Minister Catherine King on the issue.
Earlier, Senator Mckenzie also asked if Betts knew if any employees from his department had been followed home from work “in a harassing or intimidating manner.”
Betts later confirmed an individual had raised the allegations, and called for further questions.
Betts said he warned staff involved with the list about “needing respect in the workplace” after he was informed about it. Australian Senate
“You may ask revealing questions to people who may be under investigation or may be perpetrators,” he said.
“I would urge caution.”
The change came after Senators heard the Department of Transportation had received complaints about “disrespectful behavior,” gender-biased and sexist behavior and disrespectful language from employees.
When asked what action had been taken, Betts said he took the allegations seriously and said his department’s first call was to support the victim.
“We’ve learned a number of lessons about this – and one of them is having gender balance in all of our cohorts.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
