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

I advise the House that today I have limited access to question time due to security reasons. This decision was made for the safety of all staff working in this building. This was a decision I did not take lightly and is a result of a serious security breach by protesters on our building today. Along with the President of the Senate, we are deeply concerned about this morning's event. It is unacceptable behaviour by the individuals. In relation to the specific events of this morning, I have personally spoken to the AFP commissioner and requested a thorough investigation into today's events. In addition, I've also asked the commissioner for a wider review of security arrangements. I do not want a repeat of today's events.

As an update, I can advise the House that today's protesters have received penalties and are no longer welcome in this building. They have been banned from this building. Additionally, following recent events in this House, I have already commenced a process for strengthening this framework, including the introduction of additional consequences.

I want to thank the AFP and the officers for their hard work and their ongoing commitment to the safety and security of this building. In light of the security incident this morning and ongoing investigations, I do not intend on making any further statements. I will, of course, update the House in due course.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—Mr Speaker, on behalf of the government, we certainly support your actions. We condemn what occurred at Parliament House today, and we declare that those responsible should feel the full force of the law. Peaceful protest has an important place in our society, but this was not a peaceful protest. These actions have done absolutely nothing to advance any cause. Indeed, they have hurt the cause that those engaged in this reckless activity believe they are advancing.

As members are aware, the security of Parliament House is, of course, the responsibility of the Presiding Officers and the Department of Parliamentary Services. When I was made aware of what was unfolding I spoke to our Attorney-General, who spoke to Commissioner Kershaw. I am advised, subsequently, that four arrests have been made. They should face the full force of the law. The Presiding Officers, of course, as you've just said, Speaker, have requested an investigation and review, which will now take place, and the government certainly welcomes such measures. I'm sure that you will keep members and senators updated and take any and all actions required to safeguard our nation's parliament.

This is the seat of our democracy. It is not just an institution made up of walls and the beautiful architecture that we have here. It is symbolic of who we are as a people. Indeed, it was designed so that the representatives are below where the people can go. We don't want any unnecessary restrictions—of course people should be able to come and watch their parliament function in real time—but activities such as those which were engaged in this morning undermine that and undermine our democracy.

Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—On behalf of the coalition, I condemn those actions we witnessed this morning. We welcome the news that four people have been arrested, and we thank the Australian Federal Police and the protective service officers here in the building for the work they do. We welcome your advice that an investigation is underway by the Australian Federal Police and no doubt by Parliamentary Services as well. Serious questions need to be asked about how these people were permitted entry into the building—in a couple of cases, as I understand it—and about who provided support to those people, and I think those questions need answers sooner rather than later.

We need to understand the gravity of the situation, because these images will be beamed around the world, as they were when we saw those disgraceful, repugnant behaviours on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on 9 October. We need to send a very clear message that it is completely and utterly unacceptable in our society, in our democracy, that we see those messages hanging from the front of this parliament. They are antisemitic. 'River to the sea' is a statement about wiping out, eliminating, a race of people; let's be very clear about it. There's been a lot of debate in this place about how that might work, whether those words have a different form of meaning and perhaps can be justified in some way or other. They can't be, and they never will be.

Mr Speaker, serious questions need to be answered. I wrote to you this morning, and cc'd the Prime Minister, expressing our grave concern that those flags were up there for at least 1½ hours. They should have been taken down immediately. We understand the safety issues; nonetheless, it sends exactly the wrong message. We welcome the outcome, as belated as it was, and we hope never to see a repeat of it again.