7th Dec 2017, 4:20 PM – Senate Motions - Parliament House Passholders - Conduct of guests

The majority voted in favour of a motion, which means it succeeded. Motions like these don't change the law but are politically influential as they represent the will of the Senate.

It was introduced by Senator Cory Bernardi (SA).

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes that, on 5 December 2017, certain staff members of Senator Rhiannon's office verbally abused an official guest of Senator Leyonhjelm;

(b) condemns the actions of those staff members;

(c) observes that senators host guests on a regular basis who might be persons whom other senators or their staff might dislike, or with whom they might disagree;

(d) recognises that access to private areas of Parliament House is a privilege;

(e) requires all passholders to honour the expected courtesy and respect for differences of opinion that comes with the granting of passes;

(f) calls upon all senators to exercise discipline over their staff; and

(g) urges the respectful conduct of senators, their staff and events they participate in within Parliament House.