Speaker Trevor Mallard and Debbie Francis discuss the independent review into bullying and harassment of staff at Parliament.

An independent review into bullying and harassment of staff at Parliament has been launched by Speaker Trevor Mallard, who says all parties have problems in the area.

The review, led by consultant Debbie Francis, will look into whether any harassing or bullying of staff has occurred since October 2014, the start of the last Parliament.

It covers MPs, staff and contractors in Parliamentary Services, Ministerial Services, and the Office of the Clerk - at least 3000 personnel, including former staffers who have left since 2014. These staff could be based at Parliament, or around the country in electorate offices.

The review comes after several allegations of bullying and harassment emerged during the Jami-Lee Ross saga and Meka Whaitiri incident, although it has been in the works since before those incidents.

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"Incidents have occurred over many years in this building that are unacceptable," Mallard said.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Speaker Trevor Mallard has commissioned the review but it will be entirely independent.

"I don't think you'll find any party is exempt from these issues. And part of it comes from the intense loyalty and teamwork that people have to their party."

He noted that reviews into law firms has inspired the review, as they were somewhat similar workplaces with entrenched hierarchies, long hours, and a powerful "bubble".

The review will not have the power to subpoena documents or punish individuals. It will instead produce a public report with recommendations for how Parliament should be run based on volunteered information from staff.

HENRY COOKE/STUFF Reviewer Debbie Francis and Speaker Trevor Mallard at the announcement. Mallard said every party had issues.

All party leaders and whips will be asked to be interviewed.

It's expected the review will cost between $150,000 and $200,000, and will return its report in April of 2019.

The information produced will then be destroyed - and won't be passed onto Parliamentary Services or any other agency. But Mallard noted that some staffers could end up taking their complaints further to Police or their employer.

ROSA WOODS/STUFF The review will look into the experiences of thousands of staff.

Staff and former staff can speak to Francis in focus groups, in a secure online survey, via letter, and in one-on-one interviews.

While the Parliamentary press gallery, who are based inside the building, are not explicitly covered by the review, interactions betwen them and Parliamentary staff could be.

Francis has worked on a similar review into the New Zealand Defence Force.

Mallard said it was important to make sure that all staff felt safe and secure.

"We want to proactively find out what we can do to improve the Parliamentary workplace," he said.

Francis assured staff that all information handed over would be confidential and would be destroyed at the end of the review. None of it would be held on any Parliamentary IT systems.

"It is vital that staff feel they can contribute their experiences to this review safely. That is why we are ensuring that all data is securely held, and will be destroyed at the review's conclusion."

Francis noted that that Parliamentary Services have a rather unique framework with respect to employment law.

Staff usually serve on events-based contracts that make firing them easy, but ensure a large payout. Unlike other public agencies it is also exempt from the Official Information Act.

Parliament is often a very stressful workplace, with intense public scrutiny, party loyalty, many deadlines, and a culture of long hours.

The existence of the review has been a closely guarded secret. MPs and their staff were briefed about the review at their caucus meetings on Tuesday morning just before the public announcement.

Staff and former staff who wish to contribute to the review have been sent a link to a survey or directed to Parliament's website. They can also email debbie@francisreview.nz.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Parliament was "not immune" to serious workplace issues and it was good the Speaker had commissioned the review.

The Public Services Association (PSA), who represent many Parliament staff, welcomed the news.

"We commend the Speaker of the House, Trevor Mallard, for sponsoring this review in order to apply rigorous scrutiny to ensuring Parliamentary staff are respected, safe and supported in their workplace," said PSA national secretary Glenn Barclay said.

"The PSA will be supporting its members throughout this five month long process. Special care must be taken at all times to allow input to the review to be free, frank and fearless and for 100% confidentiality".

The Green Party also welcomed the news.

"Everyone should feel safe when they come to work", Workplace Relations and Safety spokeswoman Jan Logie said.

"The Green Party have previously said that, like other workplaces in New Zealand, the Parliament has a problem with workplace culture and bullying."

Not everyone was so chuffed. NZ First leader Winston Peters said he didn't necessarily support the review and had not been properly consulted.

"The only person who has been seriously bullied around this place is one Winston Peters by people like you," Peters said, referring to the media.