Mr EDWARDS (3:28 PM) —Mr Speaker, I have a couple of questions for you. Are you aware of a painting titled The Landing atGallipoli, painted by an artist named Dixon? Are you also aware that this painting was presented to the parliament by an individual in memory of gallant deeds? Are you also aware that this painting hung in the public areas of Old Parliament House but now hangs in a minister's office, unavailable to the public? Mr Speaker, would you review the status of this painting and examine whether it could be returned to a public area of Parliament House, if not for the full year at least for the week leading up to Anzac Day?

Mr SPEAKER —I will follow up the matter raised by the member for Cowan. Can I, however, make the observation that, as many members will be aware—and in fact it is true in the office that I occupy as well—there are paintings that have been in the public area and are moved into other areas of the building in order to rest them, and some of them are moved into storage in order to rest them. I do not know what the history of the painting The Landing at Gallipoli is, but I will follow up the matter and I will endeavour to do all I can to see that it is on public display at an appropriate time.

Mr EDWARDS —Thank you, Mr Speaker. The reason I have raised it is that there were some veterans who had driven 14 hours to get to Parliament House. They were keen to see the painting and they were advised that it was unavailable. For that reason, I would be most appreciative if you could pursue the matter.

Mr SPEAKER —As I said, I will follow up the matter. As I would restate and as previous occupiers of the chair are aware, there are occasions when paintings that have been in the public area are removed from the public area for reasons of resting. It is a policy that I do not understand, but I accept it is done by those who know more about art than I do.