House debates

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

Questions to the Speaker

Parliamentary Behaviour

3:29 pm

Photo of Patrick SeckerPatrick Secker (Barker, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

Madam Deputy Speaker, would it be possible for you or the Speaker—I am not sure which under the present situation—to investigate the possible disorderly behaviour of the member for Eden-Monaro standing in front of the camera when the Leader of the Opposition was at the dispatch box.

3:30 pm

Photo of Ms Anna BurkeMs Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I can reliably inform the member for Barker that the two screens on the desk have the vision of what goes out at all times. So at all times I can see if someone is walking in front of the cameras and can recognise whether someone is blocking them. I will refer the question to the Speaker but I can reliably inform the House that I have not seen the vision being cut during this time. That is one of the reasons the cameras have been here.

Going back to the Manager of Opposition Business, he has the authority to rule dissent in the chair at any time.