A staff member of an MP has been sacked over “disgusting and sickening” behaviour in the latest sex scandal to hit Australia’s government.

According to reports by Ten Network television news, several male staffers for the ruling coalition had set up a Facebook Messenger group in which they shared images and video of sex acts performed in Parliament House, including on the desks of female politicians.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “shocked and disgusted”.

“It’s just absolutely shameful,” he said.

“I was completely stunned, as I have been on more than one occasion over the course of this last month.”

Perceptions of a culture within Parliament House that is toxic for women have been bolstered since a former member of staff claimed last month that she had been raped by a senior colleague in a minister’s office two years ago.

She said she did not go to police for fear of losing her job.

Attorney general Christian Porter has since been criticised for refusing to stand down over an allegation that he raped a 16-year-old girl when he was a teen 33 years ago. He has denied the claims.

The complainant has since died and police have ruled out charges.

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