According to the PWSS annual report, the helpline handled a total of 339 cases between 1 October 2023 and 30 June 2024.

There were 30 cases of sexual abuse and abuse, 33 cases of assault, 62 cases of domestic or substance abuse and 90 cases of workplace conflict.

The remaining 124 “other cases” included cases where the reason was either not disclosed or the contact was a request for information.

The report later said: “During the reporting period, PWSS received fewer than ten formal workplace complaints.”

More than 50 percent of complaints were made by political staff, while 12 percent were Parliamentary Department staff and 5 percent by MPs.

Health Minister Mark Butler told Sky News Sunday Agenda that the report’s findings were “very concerning” but added they were “not entirely surprising”.

“This is a workplace that really needs to raise its standards. And I think putting that process or that structure in place is an important first step,” he said.

“People need to be held to account for bad behaviour, whether it’s MPs, staff, Parliament staff.

“That process is starting to work, but I think this report really shows worryingly that Parliament still has a way to go.”

The parliamentary behavior watchdog was set up following a review by the sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins, in 2021.

The Jenkins report recommending PWSS was published after former political staffer Brittany Higgins reported that she was raped by Bruce Lehrmann in Parliament.

Ms Higgins responded to the recent PWSS report and said while the figures were “comparable”, she also said it was “not entirely surprising”.

“While the PWSS and the joint committee on parliamentary standards have made significant progress, there is more to do,” she said.

“Valid questions remain about whether criminals are held accountable and whether government employees are adequately supported.

“It’s hard to think of a more asymmetric workplace power dynamic. Australians expect our politicians to (lead by example) when it comes to office safety.”