Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

Last Wednesday, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and member for Ballarat raised, as a matter of privilege, whether an action by the member for Barker constitutes a breach of privilege. The specific action the minister referred to is the filming by a staff member of the member for Barker, without permission, of an interaction that day between the member for Barker and the member in her ministerial office, and associated filming in a Ministerial Wing corridor. The minister presented, as supporting information, an email from her to all members and senators advertising a drop-in session in her office on Wednesday, which I understand is a regular occurrence and I believe she should be commended for.

I have had the opportunity to review the matter raised by the minister and, as I noted at that time, I accept the matter was raised at the earliest opportunity. The task for me under the standing orders is to determine whether there is a prima facie case that the action by the member for Barker amounts to, or was intended or likely to amount to, an improper interference with the free exercise by the member for Ballarat of her duties as a member.

I note that the incident complained of occurred during a drop-in session held by the member in her capacity as Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, on subjects within her ministerial responsibilities.

I appreciate the minister's concerns about the discourtesy shown by the member for Barker through this action and acknowledge that she may consider it to be a significant interference in her ministerial work and an affront to her. However, I do not see evidence that the action by the member for Barker amounts to, or was intended or was likely to amount to, an improper interference with the free exercise by the member for Ballarat of her duties as a member, such as would allow me to find a prime facie case of a breach of parliamentary privilege. Therefore I do not propose to give precedence to a motion to refer the matter to the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests.

Even though there is not a prima facie case of a breach of privilege, other considerations are relevant in these circumstances. The evidence of the minister raises serious concerns about breaches of the media rules applying to everyone in Parliament House. I take this opportunity to remind all members that filming interactions in the private areas of Parliament House without appropriate approvals and the express permission of those captured in the images are a breach of the media rules of Parliament House. These rules apply to everyone—visitors and building occupants alike—including members and their staff. I consider it to be the responsibility of members to ensure that their staff follow these rules.

Further, I take this opportunity to remind members of the parliamentary behaviour standards and code, which were approved by the House and the Senate in October. Every one of us is required to understand and comply with the standards and code. As the Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians states, all parliamentarians have a shared responsibility as employers and leaders in the community to ensure that our workplace meets the highest standards of integrity, dignity, safety and mutual respect. I would hope that any member who has caused offence to another member would exercise that respect and apologise for their actions.

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