Roger Price (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, has your attention been drawn to reports that the Queensland parliament will allow male members to dispense with either a coat or a tie in order to reduce the amount of air conditioning required in the chamber? Given complaints about the inadequate air conditioning in this chamber, will you give consideration to allowing members the same choice as Queensland members of parliament?

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

I thank the Chief Opposition Whip. I am aware of some work that has been done on the air conditioning in this chamber and I can assure him that I will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure that the temperature in this chamber is not allowed to rise sufficiently that members would feel uncomfortable with their coats.

Roger Price (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I take it from that that you will not entertain consideration to relaxing—

Mal Brough (Longman, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They don’t have air conditioning up there!

Roger Price (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Don’t interject! You are a minister at the table.

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

Order! The minister will not debate. The Chief Opposition Whip has the call.

Roger Price (Chifley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Do I understand from your response, Mr Speaker, that you will not entertain consideration to giving members the same choice that members of the Queensland parliament have?

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

I thank the Chief Opposition Whip. As he would be aware, I do believe that we should maintain proper dress standards in this chamber. If the House chooses to ask the occupier of the chair to change those dress standards then obviously I will look at that matter again, but until that point I will endeavour to uphold the standards as I do now.