Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Crossin asked me at the conclusion of question time about the Women in Parliament display which is in the public area of the Presiding Officers display area near the Parliament House theatrette. No decision has been taken by the Presiding Officers to remove this display. The Senate Procedure Office, which curates the display, has recently approached some serving senators and members to request electronic copies of photographs used in the display so that they can be posted online. The display is in need of refurbishment, and options are being considered to effect that. But I emphasise that any proposal to change this display has not been put before the Presiding Officers, who have the sole responsibility for such decisions.

Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Am I able to seek leave to take note of your response?

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You can seek leave. I made the statement at this time, although there are other formal motions to go through, simply because most senators are here now, and I thought it better that everybody was put in the picture. But you can seek leave; it is your prerogative to seek leave at any time.

Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Otherwise I would take your advice about when we should take note of the response you have given this chamber. I seek leave.

Leave granted.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the statement.

I understand that this is an unusual time to do this, but for the record I do want to take the opportunity to take note of the response you have provided to the Senate. I appreciate that you have done that in a very timely manner. I also understand that you have put to us that neither of the Presiding Officers has made that decision. If I understand it correctly, it is the Presiding Officers who will make that decision, as opposed to perhaps a senior public servant in the Department of Parliamentary Services. I want to place on record—and I think I would probably speak on behalf of most women parliamentarians in this place—that if such a decision were ever to be made we would want to be consulted. That does not say that we do not believe, perhaps, that the photos need to be updated, that the display might need to be updated or that in fact it could be modernised, but I think to close down such a display and totally replace it would be most unfortunate. Perhaps you could also, by tomorrow, give the Senate a guarantee that that display will remain in place until the convening of the 42nd Parliament.

Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Crossin, I will consider that and report to the Senate tomorrow.

Question agreed to.