Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a matter of privilege. Last Friday a staff member of mine received a message from a journalist to say that this journalist had received a copy of the recommendations of the report which was under consideration by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Human Services. I consulted the Clerk on the matter. I called the editor of the Age, the newspaper concerned, and advised that if the article were printed it would indeed be a contempt of the House. I advised that I would confirm that advice in writing, which I did. The matter was nonetheless printed in the Sunday Age on Sunday. It was similarly printed in the Sun-Herald in Sydney. Mr Speaker, this is a matter of considerable concern. I understand that another committee of the House also had something similar occur to it. I intend to take this matter back to the committee to discuss with the committee what action it may decide needs to be taken and to report to you on the deliberations of the committee.

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

I thank the member for Mackellar for bringing that to the attention of the House. I note that she proposes to take a course of action. We will await any further developments that she wishes to bring back to the House.