Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Bernardi, I'm not sure if you were here earlier. I'm not familiar with those rulings; I will check them. I made the observation before that the wearing of certain ribbons has not been prohibited in this chamber, whether they be in memoriam of certain events or commemorating or celebrating certain days. I did ask senators to take off badges that were larger than a lapel, consistent with rulings. I'll go back and check those rulings, but I have pondered this issue because to prohibit the wearing of any badge on a lapel other than a Senate badge would, I think, be too strict. I asked the senators involved—the Greens senators—and they did remove the larger badges. But I will check those rulings on the smaller badges that are being worn and that I can't read from here.

As a general rule, if a badge can be identified by someone at the other end of the chamber I think it would be inappropriate—if it had words on it. But I do not want to prohibit police day ribbons, Anzac Day or Legacy badges or the like, and I don't think any senator would want me to. But I'll come back to the chamber with your request, Senator Bernardi.