(1)   Under what legislation or regulations is the specific legislative authority to conduct background police checks on journalists, lobbyists and employees who work or visit Parliament House.

(2)   If a person receives a negative outcome as a result of a background police check performed on behalf of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) what might the consequences be for that person.

(3)   Would a right of access for a member of parliament or a senator to a journalist in the parliamentary precinct be restricted at all, if that journalist received a negative outcome following a police record check; if so, on what grounds.

(4)   In developing the policy to check the criminal history of journalists, lobbyists and employees at Parliament House, did the Secretary of DPS consult the committee that represents the press gallery; if not, why not.

(5)   On what grounds have members of parliament and senators been exempted from background checks.

(1)   It is assumed the question refers to a draft recommendation to the Presiding Officers to require a police check as part of the application for, or renewal of, a Parliament House photographic pass. Section 6 of the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988 specifies that the precincts are “under the control and management of the Presiding Officers”. Under that section, the Presiding Officers may, subject to any order of the House, take any action they consider necessary for the control and management of the precincts. This includes the power to determine security requirements in and for the precincts. Police checks were never proposed for general visitors to Parliament House who were not applicants for a photographic pass.

(2)   , (3) and (4) The draft recommendation will not be proceeded with.

(5)   The draft recommendation related only to applicants for Parliament House photographic passes. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are not required to have photographic passes to enter Parliament House. Given that these matters are wholly the responsibility of the Presiding Officers, this answer also serves as a response to Senate question on notice no. 3204, which was directed to the Minister for Finance and Administration.