Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I'm seeking your guidance in relation to the possibility of utilising therapy or welfare dogs in the Australian Parliament House workplace. As a former minister, I was very heavily involved with the role of psychiatrically-trained assistance dogs supporting veterans in their recovery from mental health issues, and that training does occur here in the ACT. I'm wondering whether it maybe possible to consider regular visits to Australian Parliament House of such dogs as they're doing their training and whether you'd consider such a trial. I guess my question is: would the Speaker be willing to investigate this idea further and report back to the House?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm happy to report back to the member, and I thank him for that question. I will raise the matter with the President of the Senate and report back to the member directly.