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Ch4 Parliament House and access to proceedings / ACCESS TO PROCEEDINGS / Photographs and films of proceedings



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House of Representatives                                Ch 4                                                 p 121

 

Parliament House and access to proceedings / ACCESS TO PROCEEDINGS

 

Photographs and films of proceedings

In 1992, following the decision by the House to authorise the live televising of its proceedings, the Speaker approved access to certain proceedings for still photography. Access is limited to photographers who are members of the Press Gallery or AUSPIC (the Government Photographic Service). A limited number of photographers representing major newspapers have been permitted to attend during Question Time, provided they have registered their wish to attend beforehand. Photographers’ activities are subject to guidelines intended, where possible, to put them on the same footing as the television camera operators. No other photographing or filming of any part of the proceedings is permitted without the prior approval of the Speaker. 1 With the establishment of the Main Committee, similar access has been given to its proceedings.

The provisions of the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act must be complied with and no sound recording of the proceedings of the Senate or the House of Representatives or of any joint sitting may be made for use with any photograph or film prepared, unless approved by the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings.

A breach of the guidelines governing still photography of proceedings may lead to the imposition of penalties, including the withdrawal of permission to photograph in the Chamber. In 2000 some photographers were banned for two sittings when they photographed events in the public gallery in defiance of express instructions to the contrary. In 2004 photographers from seven newspapers were suspended from the galleries for seven sitting days for a similar breach. 2 Both cases involved photographs of disturbances, which the guidelines expressly prohibit.



For example, the Speaker has approved requests to photograph Members making their first speeches.



H.R. Deb. (16.2.2004) 24758, VP 2002-04/1432.