Points of Order — Medal Ceremony—Notification

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. About and hour or so ago we received notification from, I think, the office of the Prime Minister, notifying us that there was to be a medal ceremony this afternoon where the presentation of a general services medal would be made to people returning from Timor-Leste. This is exceptionally short notice for members of Parliament to be invited to what essentially is a parliamentary occasion. I point out that it was also a change of venue. Prior to the National Party hearing of this event and raising the issue, the plan was for the Prime Minister to present these medals in the Labour caucus room. I wonder whether both the failure to invite other members of Parliament to this function and the decision to hold it in the Labour Party caucus room was an oversight, or whether it was perhaps a severe lack of judgment by the Minister of Defence.

It came to my attention this morning that the ceremony had been arranged for that room, and that representatives of other parties had not been invited. I immediately undertook to have the venue changed and to have representatives of other parties invited.

I thank members. Although that was not a point of order it did provide information for the House.