Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Banks can get an early warning if he likes. If he wishes this to be taken seriously, his advice through interjection is not helpful at all.

As in these cases where a member raises with me an alleged matter of privilege, I will take that on board. I will again look at material that has been supplied and I will then report back to the House. I do not think that the member for Fisher would mind that I indicate to the House that we have been in correspondence about this, because I have taken the correspondence that I have received from him as fulfilling that he has raised this with me at the earliest point of time. The House would also be aware that last Thursday the member for Denison raised this matter. On that occasion, I indicated that it was best if an aggrieved party to the incident raised it with me; therefore, the actions of the member for Fisher fulfil that. On the matter of privilege, I will report back to the House. As I indicated to the member for Fisher in my correspondence, I will be taking the opportunity to make a statement about matters to do with photography in the chamber and the use of electronic devices. I do that because of the seriousness of these matters and I think it is fair that I make my views known to members.

The taking of such a photograph would indeed be outside the guidelines for photography in the chamber. It would also be contrary to the advice that has been given to members about the use of mobile devices in the chamber. I understand that in this case the Serjeant-at-Arms has reviewed the available footage of the proceedings at the time the photograph was apparently taken, but at this point I am advised that it is not conclusive about who may have been responsible. Members will realise that the guidelines for filming and photography in the chamber do not even contemplate the taking of photographs by members. I would be most concerned if those on the floor of the chamber were to use their mobile devices as cameras. I would hope that any such concerns would be widely shared amongst members.

I remind those on the floor of their obligations in respect of conduct generally and particularly in respect of the use of mobile devices. Along with my predecessors, I have felt that in this day and age members should be able to use laptops and mobile devices in the chamber in ways that enable them to make more efficient use of their time but in ways which do not infringe on the ability of the House to operate as a debating chamber. Certainly if a member were found to have used a mobile device to take a photograph during proceedings, I would regard the member as having behaved in a most disorderly manner and accordingly as subject to disciplinary action by the House.

I am sure that Speakers before me have proceeded on the assumption that care would be taken that the use of such technology would not be allowed to contribute to any lowering of the standing of the House in the eyes of the wider community or that it would be used in a way that would lower trust or cause problems between members. I do hope that members will recognise their responsibilities in these matters. Again I indicate to the member for Fisher that I will come back to the House and report on the matters that he has raised with me.

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