This file photo taken on March 22, 2020 shows Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison reacting during a press conference at Australia's Parliament House in Canberra. A former Australian government staffer has said she was raped in a minister's office in parliament and failed by her bosses after coming forward, prompting an apology from Morrison on Feb 16, 2021. (DAVID GRAY / AFP)

CANBERRA - Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced an independent review of the parliament's workplace culture following an explosive rape allegation.

Former government staffer Brittany Higgins, who went public with a rape allegation earlier this week, said that she felt "dismissed" by colleagues, including government ministers in the wake of the incident

Morrison on Wednesday evening wrote to Anthony Albanese, leader of the opposition Labor Party, asking him to support the review, saying it would be conducted at an "arm's length" from the government.

"It is my expectation that this review would be conducted at an arm's length of government, consult widely across parliamentarians and their staff, the departments and agencies that support our work, and provide constructive feedback on measures that can be implemented," he wrote.

"In particular, I have asked that this process consider the adequacy, effectiveness, independence and awareness of current supports that are available to Parliamentarians and their staff."

ALSO READ: Pell case: Australia seeks fines from media over breach of gag order

It comes after former government staffer Brittany Higgins on Monday went public with an allegation that she was raped by a male colleague in the Parliament House in 2019.

Higgins said that she felt "dismissed" by colleagues including government ministers in the wake of the incident and did not pursue a police complaint over concerns it would impact her career.

Morrison on Tuesday apologized to Higgins but on Wednesday she issued a statement critical of the government's response.

"The continued victim-blaming rhetoric by the Prime Minister is personally very distressing to me and countless other survivors," she said.

"I have only been made aware of key elements of my own sexual assault as a result of coming forward publicly with my story.

"A current senior staffer to the Prime Minister and my former chief-of-staff refused to provide me with access to the CCTV footage from that evening and continually made me feel as if my ongoing employment would be jeopardized if I proceeded any further with the matter.

READ MORE: PM formally apologizes to Australian child sex abuse victims

"The government has questions to answer for their own conduct."