Points of Order — Parliamentary Press Gallery—Parliamentary Complex

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I note from a media report last night that you indicated you had some sympathy for Mr Nick Wang and the concerns he had over his treatment here on Monday, and that you were going to meet the Commissioner of Police to discuss protocols governing such situations. I wonder whether you could advise the House, firstly, whether such a meeting has taken place, and, if so, what was the outcome; and, secondly, when such a meeting does take place, whether you will indicate to the House what has transpired so that we can all know what the rules are for the future.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I thank the member. I am writing to the Commissioner of Police to arrange a meeting and, of course, the House will be kept fully informed.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Following on from that, I have a couple of other matters to raise. I understand from your press release that you will also be writing to the Chinese Embassy to explain the protocols surrounding the conduct of this House and free speech, or something along those lines. Could you clarify that? Secondly, one issue of concern that has come out of looking at the tape of the incident on Monday is a question mark over who gives accreditation to press gallery journalists—whether the police have the powers to give accreditation and take it away, as the police officer seemed to indicate, or whether that is the function of the Speaker.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: In addressing the member’s points, I shall be contacting the Chinese Ambassador merely to inform him of the process and the rules. And, of course, it is not the police who give accreditation to the press gallery; it is the Speaker.