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House of Representatives                                Ch 4                                                 p 127

Disorder and disturbances

To perform its functions the House must be protected from physical disruption, disturbance and obstruction and there is no doubt that the House has the power to protect itself from such actions. However, such actions, although they may technically constitute contempt, are in practice usually dealt with either through administrative action under the authority of the Presiding Officers or by remitting the matter to the authorities for criminal proceedings.

Visitors who misconduct themselves in that part of Parliament House controlled by the Speaker may be taken into custody by the Serjeant-at-Arms. ¹ In the Chamber visitors are under the control of the Serjeant-at-Arms.

If a visitor or person other than a Member disturbs the operation of the Chamber or the Main Committee, the Serjeant-at-Arms can remove the person or take the person into custody. ² Such disturbances have included persons standing up, interjecting, applauding, holding up signs or placards, dropping or throwing objects into the Chamber, chaining themselves to railings and jumping onto the floor of the Chamber. ³

On the authority of the Serjeant-at-Arms, Usher of the Black Rod or authorised persons, persons creating a disturbance may be detained and interviewed, or ejected from Parliament House. Persons considered to pose a threat to the Parliament, for example, because of a history of attempts to disrupt proceedings, have been barred from entry to the Chamber or the building for a period of time by order of the Presiding Officers.

S.O. 96.

S.O. 96(a). In practice parliamentary security staff perform this function under the overall direction of the Serjeant-at-Arms.

Significant or unusual recorded incidents when the House has been disturbed, and the action taken by the Chair, are summarised at page 128 of the 4th edition.