Mr LEO McLEAY (3:25 PM) —Mr Speaker, I have a further question to you. In the last six months, have there been more security—

The SPEAKER —Member for Reid, the member for Watson is being interrupted by you.

Mr LEO McLEAY —He is always trying to do that to me too. In the last six months, have there been more security cameras installed in the House of Representatives part of this building and in the common areas? If so, why, and where were they installed?

The SPEAKER —I am not being in any sense evasive about this, but I am assuming that the six-month period includes, of course, all events post-September 11, and for that reason I would expect that there has been a greater installation of security devices, maybe including cameras, in that period of time. It is fair to say that the whole question of security is being upgraded and the provision of additional security cameras—not the installation, but the provision—is something that has been brought to the attention of the Presiding Officers as a means of upgrading the security.

I reassure the member for Watson that there would be no action taken by the Presiding Officers to install security cameras in, for example, members' suites without members being conscious of it, but there is a proposal to ensure that the provision of security cameras in passageways be considered. I am not aware of any installation of cameras in passageways at this stage. There may have been cameras in car parks and entrances. I cannot give any more detail than that in my answer.

Mr Leo McLeay —My point was, Mr Speaker—and you might come back with some material on this—that my impression is that there are security cameras now in what were parts of the House which might have been termed the private areas of the building, which—

The SPEAKER —I am sorry, did you say the `private' areas of the building?

Mr Leo McLeay —Common areas of the building is probably a better—

Mr Tanner —What have they caught you doing, Leo?

Mr Leo McLeay —Lindsay, they'll catch you, mate. You're the one who's got to worry!

The SPEAKER —Member for Watson!

Mr Leo McLeay —I am talking about the common areas of the building where there was not surveillance in the past. I do not suppose members would have any worry about perimeter cameras and that sort of thing, but if we are now going to have a higher level of surveillance within the building, then that may be something that is of concern to members. If there is an intention to increase the level of surveillance within the building, maybe that might be a matter that gets canvassed at the Joint House Committee before it is done.

The SPEAKER —I merely outlined to the member for Watson proposals—as I emphasised in my earlier answer—that were being considered, understandably, by the Presiding Officers. It may be that there are additional cameras in the entrances. I do not know. Certainly, nothing has been done to intrude into the privacy of members, nor would it. I will endeavour to consult as widely as possible with any security upgrade.

Mr Latham —Are you worried about your chair?

The SPEAKER —When the member for Werriwa has quite finished assisting the chair, I will recognise the member for Canberra.