Independent MP Helen Dalton says New South Wales parliament is a “toxic” place for women. 

NSW’s lower house MP Helen Dalton has moved a motion to condemn Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC Robert Borsak for saying she should be “clocked”. 

Ms Dalton’s motion sought to classify Mr Borsak's comment as dangerous workplace behaviour. 

“[Domestic violence] can happen to anyone … and this is endemic across our society,” she said.
“How can we still have men walking the halls of parliament who think nothing of suggesting a woman should have been ‘clocked” to keep her in line? 

“And what is the ramification? Deafening silence.”

Ms Dalton said that the comment would have resulted in instant dismissal in any private sector workplace. 

“How does this parliament even dare to pretend it can set the rules and standards for the rest of the state when we are, in fact, working in a toxic environment ourselves?” she asked. 

“If we don't call this out - if we don't pull up these misogynists before they infect everyone around them - we will remain part of the problem.”

It comes a matter of weeks after Premier Dominic Perrottet vowed to end workplace harassment after the release of an investigation into the culture at New South Wales parliament house.

Independent member for Sydney Alex Greenwich says that since the investigation, there is now a “shrinking rump” of conservative men who appear to have been emboldened to behave worse than ever. 

“It's important that this chamber sheds light on [Mr Borsak's] character and his openness to encourage violence against women, something I know is a growing concern in regional and rural New South Wales,” he said.