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

On 4 July 2024, I made a statement to the chamber on a serious security breach by protesters on Australian Parliament House. I'd like to provide the Senate with an update. At the request of the Presiding Officers, the Australian Federal Police conducted an investigation into these events. This investigation is ongoing. Additionally, the Speaker and I asked the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services to convene a meeting of the Security Management Board to discuss options to enhance security at Australian Parliament House. We requested that both short- and long-term solutions be identified, while taking into consideration the recent increase in the national threat level.

I can inform senators that short-term measures have been implemented which strengthen the layers of security around Parliament House and assist in deterring a repeat of 4 July incidents. Measures include physical, procedural and intelligence based enhancements. Of course, for security reasons, I will not detail the specific measures that have been implemented; however, these enhancements have occurred and are ongoing. Long-term and more permanent options are currently being explored and will be considered by the Senate Appropriations, Staffing and Security Committee and the equivalent committee in the House. These longer term options will be informed through engagement with relevant authorities and experts, including by technical experts from national security agencies and law enforcement agencies.

Australian Parliament House is a key symbol of our democracy. It is also a source of national pride. The Speaker and I take matters around the respect for and safety of the building and its occupants very seriously. The security and access to Australian Parliament House must always be balanced to keep democracy open to the people while also protecting those who visit and work in the building and surrounds. I thank the Australian Federal Police and the parliamentary departments for the work they do to keep our parliament safe and staff safe.