House debates Questions to the Speaker

Parliament House Security

Wednesday, 6 September 2006 House of Representatives

Carmen Lawrence

Carmen Lawrence Fremantle, Australian Labor Party

3:29 pm

Mr Speaker, on Monday I witnessed at the House of Representatives entrance a person I believed to be the new US ambassador—and the staff there certainly thought so as well—having a hand-held metal detector passed over him as he entered the House of Representatives. Could you please explain the circumstances in which that occurred?

David Hawker

David Hawker Speaker

I thank the member for Fremantle. I am not aware of the incident that she is referring to, but I can make further inquiries. As a rule it is not going to be my practice to discuss security matters within the chamber, but I will certainly follow up the matter for her and report as appropriate.