In the lower house, Karen Andrews claims an unnamed male colleague used to “breathe on” her neck and make crude remarks.

There have been numerous reports of sexual misconduct in Australia’s parliament.

MPs and staff of both houses agreed to new codes of conduct in February.

The back of my neck would be breathed on and if I asked a question, it would be: ‘That was a great question, thrusting and probing,'” said Ms Andrews.

People might say: ‘Can’t you take a joke?’… and sometimes I do call it out, but sometimes I just say: ‘I can’t be in every fight.'”

The former minister for industry and minister for home affairs in Scott Morrison’s coalition government, Ms Andrews was one of the most senior women.

This year, she announced that she would retire at the next election – which will take place in 2025 – due to the harsh treatment of women in federal politics.

In her pre-political career, Ms Andrews worked in male-dominated industries, but says she only encountered gender discrimination in parliament.

It was the first time she felt she had to fight for things simply because she was a woman, she told ABC.

Ms Andrews’ former Liberal party colleague Senator David Van faced three allegations of sexual harassment earlier this year – including two from fellow MPs Lidia Thorpe and Amanda Stoker.

Despite being dismissed from the party, Van strongly denied the allegations and remains in.