Carmen Lawrence (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on Monday I witnessed at the House of Representatives entrance a person I believed to be the new US ambassador—and the staff there certainly thought so as well—having a hand-held metal detector passed over him as he entered the House of Representatives. Could you please explain the circumstances in which that occurred?

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Fremantle. I am not aware of the incident that she is referring to, but I can make further inquiries. As a rule it is not going to be my practice to discuss security matters within the chamber, but I will certainly follow up the matter for her and report as appropriate.