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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-03-24 Daily Xml
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Parliament House Matters

Parliament House Safety Measures

The PRESIDENT (14:17): Honourable members, I would like to update the council on measures the Speaker and myself, in addition to the parliament's Response Management Committee, have put in place in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Advice has already been circulated to members, parliamentary staff and building occupants advising that all public and school tours of Parliament House and functions have been cancelled.

Non-access card holders will not be permitted into the chamber public galleries on sitting days or committee public galleries to view proceedings. Access card holders, including the media, will continue to have access to the parliamentary precinct. Until further notice, all parliamentary dining rooms will be closed. The members' bar will provide the standard food and beverage service consistent with a non-sitting day. The Blue Room will provide its current range of food and beverage services. There will be no provision for seated dining in both the members' bar and the Blue Room.

Members and ministers have been requested to reduce the number of members of staff they bring into Parliament House. Members, including ministers, who wish to have non-access card holders attend Parliament House must first seek approval from the President or the Speaker. Centre Hall has been closed until further notice, and access to the parliament will be via the Old Parliament House entrance.

There will be increased cleaning of surfaces within Parliament House, together with the provision of sanitiser at key locations. I ask all members to continue practising the hygiene advice that has been circulated. I remind members and staff of the advice provided by public health authorities as it relates to people who feel ill to stay at home.

I would like to thank all honourable members for their non-partisan approach to the issues that confront us in having this parliament operate. The current seating arrangements in the chamber allow for members to be separated by at least 1.5 metres when seated. I can also advise the council that the dimensions of this chamber are sufficient to satisfy the four square metre provision for indoor gatherings of less than 100 people.

I understand that the chamber will shortly consider arrangements for divisions in order to assist with maintaining the social distancing restrictions and reducing risks associated with surface contact. Bottled water has been supplied to members in the chamber, not jugs and glasses, to reduce the risk to staff in handling glassware. I trust that a common-sense and cooperative approach will prevail to assist the council in carrying on its business.

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