House debates Questions to the Speaker

Parliament House: Security

Wednesday, 20 February 2008 House of Representatives

Joanna Gash

Joanna Gash Gilmore, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism

3:37 pm

Mr Speaker, I have a question to you. Why were people with Parkinson’s refused entry into the gallery yesterday on the basis of their T-shirts spelling out the word ‘Parkinson’s’ being classed as political, when other T-shirts with ‘Kevin 07’ and ‘Your rights at work’ were permitted entry?

Harry Jenkins

Harry Jenkins Speaker

I understand that the action was taken as a result of a standard practice that has developed for the way in which these matters are dealt with at the door. I invite the honourable member for Gilmore and any other members that have problems with the action taken to come and speak to me so that we can more fully discuss it. Those that made the requests, I believe, acted in good faith on the basis of the way in which these things have been handled in the past. But we can always learn lessons from occurrences like this, and I am happy to discuss it. As I say, if there are other members that have some concern, I am happy to discuss it with them, too.