Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators, as many of you are aware, this morning the Parliamentary Security Service and the Australian Federal Police responded to two separate protest incidents at Parliament House.

The presiding officers take matters of security for Parliament House very seriously. I have been advised that all security infrastructure operated as designed, and the PSS and the AFP responded in accordance with policies and practices. I want to inform the chamber that the AFP arrested the four individuals involved and they were issued with 24-month banning notices in accordance with the banning framework.

There have been significant upgrades to security infrastructure and measures in the last parliament, and further upgrades are in progress in consultation with the Senate, appropriation staffing and the security committee, alongside the Deputy President.

I have requested a thorough investigation into today's events by the Australian Federal Police Commissioner with the Department of Parliamentary Services. In light of ongoing investigations, I do not intend on making any further statements. I acknowledge the response of the Australian Federal Police, the Parliamentary Security Service, ACT Police and the Department of Parliamentary Services.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—Can I indicate, as the Prime Minister has in the House, that on behalf of the government we support the actions taken by the Speaker and by you, President. What occurred at Parliament House today was not appropriate, and those responsible should feel the full force of the law. Peaceful protest does have an important place in our society. I think there are many who would question whether this was a peaceful protest. Their actions have done nothing to advance the cause of peace.

As all are aware, the security of Parliament House is the responsibility of the presiding officers and we support them and the actions they are taking. I understand, from advice from the Attorney-General, that four arrests have been made, and obviously that is a matter for law enforcement.

I'd make a broader point about social cohesion. There is a tragic, horrific conflict occurring. We have seen loss of lives at scale, and people in Australia on all sides are deeply distressed by this. Those of us in this place do have an obligation to remember, first and foremost, that one of the precious aspects of our democracy and one of the prerequisites of our democracy is our capacity to peacefully disagree.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—President, I acknowledge the statement you have made. The security breaches that occurred in this building today are deeply troubling and should be troubling to all occupants of this building in relation to the images that were projected around the nation and potentially the world as well as troubling in relation to what it indicates in terms of the security of this workplace and this environment.

While acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the Australian Federal Police and law enforcement authorities to undertake their investigations independently and to make decisions about prosecutions independently, I am sure I speak for many senators who would wish to see the full force of the law applied to individuals involved.

It is also I am sure the expectation of many senators that there be a full and thorough investigation into how this occurred—how these security breaches occurred, how it is that the banners and other materials were able to be accessed and used by the protestors in this way and, in those investigations, whether any persons or passholders provided any assistance to those individuals.

The impact and the images of the hanging of an antisemitic message and messages from the front of our nation's parliament is a stain on this parliament. These were shameful acts. These were repugnant slogans. And they do those who offended no credit. They bring shame to them. But to those people around Australia and the world who may be offended, and deeply so, at what they saw hanging from our parliament today, we say that we stand with them and in support of them.