Michael McCormack and March 4 Justice organiser Janine Hendry in Parliament corridor showdown

March 4 Justice organiser Janine Hendry has appealed to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to act on a Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report, during a terse exchange inside the corridors of Parliament.

The Human Rights Commission’s Respect@Work report was launched more than 12 months ago by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.

Ms Hendry, who is in Canberra ahead of Monday’s March 4 Justice rally, ran into Mr McCormack inside the Press Gallery in the morning.

She demanded action from the government in response to the report.

Mr McCormack said he couldn’t give that “assurance”, but he said, “I’m certain that we’ll absolutely look at it.”

The report was the result of an 18-month national inquiry by the Commission, which examined the nature and prevalence of sexual harassment in Australian workplaces, the drivers of this harassment and measures to address and prevent it.

Ms Hendry, an academic, designer and entrepreneur who has helped organise the series of March 4 Justice rallies set for today, called for immediate action.

“You’ve been looking at this for years,” she said.

“I’m sorry, it’s time and it’s time now.

“We don’t want any more reports.”

Some MPs to attend rally

Mr McCormack has said he had a full schedule on Monday and wasn’t planning attend the rally, but he told Ms Hendry he hadn’t ruled it out.

“I’m not making any promises, but I’ll see what I can do,” he said.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said some members of the government would attend the rally.

But neither he, nor Trade Minister Dan Tehan, who appeared on television on Monday morning, said they would attend.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume said she would attend the rally with her staff.

“The march is for the right purposes. Everybody deserves a safe place to work, and while we may not necessarily agree with all of the items that are in the petition we do agree with the sentiment behind that and we want to show solidarity,” she said.

Members of the rally plan to hand a petition to the government that includes a proposal for a code of conduct for MPs aimed at the prevention of gendered violence in Parliament and annual sexual harassment training for all MPs.

Senator Sarah Henderson told Sky News she would attend, saying the march was a “very important opportunity for the voices of all women across Australia to be heard”.

So, too, will backbencher Bridget Archer.

“We have an overdue opportunity to have these difficult and important conversations,” Ms Archer said via a statement.

“As a survivor of child sexual abuse myself, I have pledged to do more to address violence against women (in my first speech and subsequently).

“It is time for change — as a parliamentarian I want women to know — I hear you, I see you, I am listening to you.”

The McCormack-Hendry exchange

Hendry: “To be clear, the Australian Human Rights Commission report landed on the Attorney-General’s desk over 12 months ago, and we have not seen any implementation of the recommendations that were in that report. And it was pretty scathing. When you tell me that you’re willing to look at it, I’m going to tell you, I want some action.”

McCormack: “OK.”

Hendry: “And the women of Australia want some action. We’re drawing a line in the sand right here, right now.”

McCormack: “OK, alright.”

Hendry: “Will you give me that assurance?”

McCormack: “I’m certain that we’ll absolutely look at it. I can’t give you the assurance that …”

Hendry: “You’ve been looking at this for years. I’m sorry, It’s time and it’s time now. We don’t want any more reports.”

McCormack: “Sure.”

Hendry: “We want change, and we want change now.”

McCormack: “I understand.”

Hendry: “You’ve had that report for 14 months. It’s time.”