The Federal Government has appointed Dr Vivienne Thom to lead its bipartisan parliamentary leadership taskforce. 

Minister for the public service Katy Gallagher has announced Dr Thom’s new role as the Independent Expert Chair of the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce, replacing former secretary Kerri Hartland.

“Everyone has the right to be safe at work, and our parliament should set the highest standard for workplace behaviour and culture,” Senator Gallagher said.

Dr Thom has filled several similar roles in recent years, having also investigated the allegations about the nature of extra-marital relations between ex-education minister Alan Tudge and his Liberal co-worker Rachelle Miller.

The commonwealth last year paid Ms Miller a $650,000 settlement over her claims of bullying, harassment and discrimination by her former boss, as well as during her time working for Michaelia Cash, without admitting liability. 

Dr Thom has been brought in to oversee the implementation of recommendations made by sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins’ ‘Set the Standard’ report.

The report was handed to the government in late 2021, followed by a public apology to victim-survivors in parliament in January 2022.