Nick McKim (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Point of order.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: I did clarify that with the Clerk, Senator McKim.

I understand that you've clarified that with the clerks, but you have just informed the committee that there is a direction from the Presiding Officer, the President of the Senate. I just would like to place firmly on the record that this is a workplace and that people are entitled to a safe workplace here, and part of a safe workplace is, for people who may have health issues which would lead to extremely serious consequences for them if they were to contract coronavirus—I think that it should be enforced that senators in this place, unless they are on their feet speaking, should wear a mask. It's just common courtesy, apart from anything else, but it is also essential to provide a safe workplace for other senators.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: I've just consulted with the Clerk. Again, I don't have authority to issue a direction from the chair to Senator Rennick. It's a matter for him, but I encourage senators to raise it with the President. I will take on board your matters of concern and raise them directly with the President at the first available opportunity.