Speaker’s Statements — Televising of Parliament—Testing

Before members depart for the Easter adjournment I would like to remind the House of the work that is progressing to webcast and televise Parliament. During April remote-controlled cameras will be installed in this Chamber. These cameras will not be operational when the House resumes in May. However, the cameras will be tested during the 3-week period of sittings in June. The images from that testing will not be broadcast.

Provided that the testing is successful, the proceedings will be webcast from 17 July and provided to any broadcasters that wish to take them. Discussions are under way with potential broadcasters now. It is intended that the present rules for filming Parliament that apply to commercial operators filming proceedings will apply to this service. The protocols for filming will be considered by the Standing Orders Committee in May.