Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I have a question for you which I flagged with you during question time. There are reports that during question time the journalist Patricia Karvelas was asked to leave the gallery section of the chamber on the basis of dress standard rules that I think none of us has ever heard of before and that certainly are quite different from what is acceptable on the floor of the chamber. Given that you've been busy chairing question time, I won't pretend for a minute that you've had a chance to look into it. Following question time could I simply ask that you investigate it and, subsequent to that, if the rules need to be fixed can we please fix them?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for the courtesy of flagging that with me during question time. He self-evidently points out that, while question time is on, I'm not aware of all of those issues; but I will certainly be making some inquiries and I'll report back as soon as I can. I thank him for flagging that with me and I'll make some inquiries. The Leader of the House.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, there are rules about dress standards in the chamber, as there are also in the galleries. I'm sure you'll investigate thoroughly and make sure that those rules are being complied with.