Parliament House Matters

CHAMBER DRESS CODE

The SPEAKER (16:05): Members, earlier today I asked a member of the gallery to remove their headgear, a woman dressed as Ms Muriel Matters. I was later asked by the member for Fisher whether my request would apply to the wearing of turbans or burqas and, I think, headgear worn by women from Muslim and other countries. We then had a point of order from the member for Bragg and I am not quite sure where we ended up with that, but I will be seeking clarification from her afterwards, anyway.

My response is that the practice of requiring members and visitors to remove their headdress or remain uncovered is an ancient parliamentary practice which was adopted to allow the Speaker and other members to be assured that those who were present were, in fact, members and visitors and were not people with malicious intent. It is a practice that was once part of the standing orders of this house and is now continued more as a recognition of our parliamentary heritage and respect for the institution than for any real procedural purpose.

Clearly, in this day and age, the house acknowledges the rights of every citizen and every visitor to this house with respect to their religious and cultural practices, and I would be very reluctant to impinge on this. I do apologise on behalf of the house to anybody who was offended or upset by today's proceedings.