Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before we commence today I wish to make a short statement about an issue that was raised in the chamber yesterday, which is the recording of pairing arrangements in Hansard. Basically, this practice was stopped when the Hansard reporters stopped attending the chamber during the early stages of the COVID parliaments. Without the Hansard recorders being in the chamber there was nowhere for the whips to deliver pairing arrangements to. I would remind all senators that pairing arrangements are informal arrangements between the parties. In discussions with the Clerk it is clear that there are no barriers to recommencing the recording of pairing arrangements in the Hansard if that information is delivered to the Hansard recorders, either directly or via the clerks. I've also committed to having a look at whether it is now appropriate to allow Hansard recorders to be back in the chamber.