Parliament House Matters

CHAMBER AUDIO SYSTEM

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (14:04): Mr Speaker, could you please clarify, in relation to the new audio system, the fact that within the chamber we have other microphones, called ambient microphones, which, according to the technicians who installed them, will pick up the faintest private conversation between members? I am told it will only be relayed to Hansard but, if members look around, they will see hidden microphones. I am not suggesting anything devious—

Mr Pengilly interjecting:

The Hon. R.B. SUCH: Chris only says good things about me—but I think members should be aware that anything they say and even mumble may be recorded.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Yes; hands up! There are ambient microphones, as there were when the member for Fisher was Speaker; and, certainly for as long as I have been a member of this place, there have been ambient microphones. They are simply for the purpose of Hansard being able to pick up interjections. The member for Fisher does have a point in that technology has improved and they are probably more sensitive than the old ambient microphones, but they are not broadcast, they are not recorded; they are simply for Hansard to pick up interjections. You can trust—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Members can trust Hansard. I think that the Clerk has circulated to honourable members some information about the new audio system, but any members who may not have received that information can approach the chair and we will make sure that it is made available to them.