Speaker’s Statements — Chamber, Lobbies, and Galleries—Visitors’ Rules

The rules governing visitors to the public and Speaker’s galleries have been updated to modernise requirements about dress, to give clarity about items that can be brought into the galleries, and to clarify the powers of security officers. The rules apply to the public and Speaker’s galleries, and not to the press gallery. The rules governing the lobbies and the Chamber update the provisions governing strangers in the Chamber, to enable officials advising Ministers in the committee of the whole House to step on to the floor of the Chamber to speak briefly with the Minister in the chair. Officials will be allowed to bring electronic devices into the Chamber when advising Ministers. Whānau or staff members will be able to enter the lobbies in order to enable members to care for infants. An updated copy of the rules will be delivered to members this afternoon.