Australian PM apologizes for abuse ahead of election

SYDNEY－Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologized for widespread sexual harassment, abuse and bullying of political staff on Tuesday, a year after a high-profile rape allegation rocked the country's parliament.

The apology marked a rocky start to an election year for Morrison along with anti-vaccination protesters gathering outside parliament.

An election is expected to be held in the first half of this year, leaving few parliamentary sitting days before the federal budget is delivered in March, which is likely to trigger the start of the official campaign.