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House of Representatives                                Ch 4                                                 p 121

Photography, filming, etc inside Parliament House

Approval for the taking of photographs or filming in Parliament House rests finally with either or both Presiding Officers. Earlier restrictions on the taking of photographs and filming have to some extent been relaxed by the Presiding Officers, the view having been taken that the general viewing, screening, publication and distribution of photographs and films of the Parliament, properly administered and supervised, may lead to a better public understanding of its activities and functioning. The taking of photographs and video footage for private purposes is permitted in the areas of the building open to the public, except in the Chamber galleries when the House is sitting and in committee rooms.

Presiding Officers have always sought to ensure that Members and Senators are not harassed by visitors and media representatives seeking to take their photographs and that they are not photographed without their knowledge or at times when they would not wish to be photographed. Members may be photographed or filmed at any time in their own rooms in Parliament House provided it is done with their prior approval. On occasions either or both Presiding Officers have sought the views of party leaders before making a decision on a request, as it is considered that no photograph or film should be made to the disadvantage of any political party or Member. Requests to photograph or film Members in their party rooms are considered by the whip, or other Members, of the party concerned.

While press gallery photographers and television camera crews may take photographs or film on invitation in private rooms in Parliament House, the taking of photographs or film by media personnel elsewhere in the building is prohibited except with the specific permission of the Presiding Officers. The Presiding Officers do not normally grant permission for television interviews or other filming in the corridors and the non-public areas of Parliament House. However, in considering such requests, the Presiding Officers have regard to whether the filming is planned to occur on a sitting day, the purpose of the filming and the likelihood of disturbance to Members, Senators and other building occupants. Requests to film in public areas are usually approved, provided it is considered building occupants and visitors will not be disturbed or inconvenienced. Radio journalists may similarly make tapes on invitation in private rooms but taping elsewhere in the building is prohibited except with the specific permission of the Presiding Officers. Consequently, many television and radio interviews of Members occur outside the entrances to Parliament House or in the garden courtyards within the building.

Any breach of these rules may result in the withdrawal of press gallery accreditation by the Presiding Officers. In 1976 the accreditation of a press gallery photographer was withdrawn for two weeks because he photographed the Leader of the Opposition in his office after the Leader had given instructions that no photographs were to be taken. ¹

Approval may be granted by the Speaker for official photographs of the Chamber, or other areas of the building under the Speaker’s control, to be used in a publication provided that the source of the photograph is acknowledged. Under no circumstances may photographs or films taken in the Chamber or elsewhere in the building be sold or used to promote any commercial product through newspaper, television or other advertising media without approval; permission is not normally given. ²

There is no objection to the taking of photographs in committee rooms or private dining rooms, provided that no Members or other persons are included in the photographs unless their prior approval has been obtained.

VP 1976-77/77-8; H.R. Deb. (18.3.76) 781-2; J 1976-77/74-5.

See also Committee of Privileges, Advertisement in the Canberra Times and other Australian newspapers on 18th August, 1965 , PP 210 (1964-66).