This is not a recent phenomenon, nor is it one that is particular to Australia or to Parliament, what these incidents do, however, is bring home the importance of the need for research, and evidence-based policy and practice, to address the sexual harassment in the workplace, and the other inequalities that women face in their careers.

Michelle Ryan

I just believe that sometimes in life you're like a shark - you have to keep moving through water; otherwise, you'll die.

Michelle Ryan

sharks believe moving

Working on new projects gives you the opportunity to learn and absorb new things.

Michelle Ryan

opportunities-to-learn opportunity giving

For me, once I've worked on something and it's finished, it's like an ex-boyfriend: you don't go back to them.

Michelle Ryan

finished exes ex-boyfriend

I think it's so important as an actor that you hang on to your own inner compass, because so many people want to guide you - 'This is what you should you be doing'. But I want to do different things.

Michelle Ryan

important people thinking

Doing the same thing day in, day out. It's just so boring. I like to jump from different things.

Michelle Ryan

different-things boring different

There's such a huge world out there; I haven't even begun to scratch the surface.

Michelle Ryan

surface scratches world

When I was ten, I saw 'Grease' on stage and thought: 'I want to be part of that; it looks like so much fun.' My mum enrolled me in a local theatre group, and it all went from there.

Michelle Ryan

grease theatre fun

Sometimes in life, random things can blind-side you.

Michelle Ryan

random-things sides sometimes

I love doing action; I love doing martial arts. There's almost something balletic about it.

Michelle Ryan

martial-arts action art

Most of my cousins are boys, so I'm used to being around boys.

Michelle Ryan

cousin used boys

I was bullied. I was a bit of a geek. Good-looking guys were off-limits. I didn't start dating until I was 18.

Michelle Ryan

dating guy limits

'Bionic Woman' really enriched my career. It was a big, amazing thing to do.

Michelle Ryan

bionics bigs careers

When I left EastEnders, I could have earned an absolute fortune from sexy calendars, shoots for lads' mags, fitness videos and reality shows. But I always turned them down.

Michelle Ryan

video sexy reality

If I wear make-up, then people recognise me, but the rest of the time, no one really bothers.

Michelle Ryan

recognise bother people

I toned down my accent at school; otherwise, people would pick on me.

Michelle Ryan

accents people school

All that celebrity stuff isn't me. It's just not acting.

Michelle Ryan

acting stuff

If I am not working, I won't wear makeup and I will wear flats.

Michelle Ryan

flats makeup ifs

I adore water, so it would be a real adventure to visit the Amazon before they chop down all the trees.

Michelle Ryan

real adventure water

I just don't know anything about jazz, really. I've never really listened to it, but I'd definitely like to discover more about it.

Michelle Ryan

jazz knows

When you fight on set, you try to not hurt anybody.

Michelle Ryan

fighting hurt trying