Mr SPEAKERFrom the next sitting day I intend to make a change to the Speaker’s procession. In order that this longstanding parliamentary tradition may be more accessible to the public, the procession at 2 p.m. each sitting day will move south along the Speaker’s corridor from the Speaker’s office into the Parliament House foyer, turn right into the lobby through the double doors, and enter the House through the visitors’ door, past the Bar of the House. The Serjeant-at-Arms will take up a position at the end of the Table ready to lay the Mace on the Table, and the Speaker will take the Chair via the Government side of the Table.
The new route for the Speaker’s procession will take no longer than the previous one but it will be in view of the public. Members will be held back momentarily in the Parliament House foyer and at the visitors’ door entrance while the procession passes, but will be able to join the tail of the procession to enter the Chamber, after the Speaker, before the doors are closed for prayers. The doors to the Ayes and Noes lobbies and the Ministers’ and Speaker’s doors will be closed at 2 p.m. when the Serjeant-at-Arms announces the Speaker’s arrival in the House, as is the current practice. This will ensure that members do not impede the Speaker moving through the Chamber to the Chair.
These new arrangements for the procession will apply only at 2 p.m. each sitting day. At all other times the presiding officers will enter and leave the Chamber through the Speaker’s door. For members’ information, I will make a copy of this announcement available in members’ bill boxes.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Labour) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps in order to ensure the dignity of your office you will be making it clear that you will not be available for questions from the media during that procession.