Parliament security stepped up

25 February 2003

Parliament is stepping up its security to bring it into line with security in a number of other Parliaments around the world, the Speaker Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt said today.

This had not been prompted by any specific threat situation, but reflected the overall risks that now had to be taken into account, following the events of September 11, Mr Hunt said.

The Parliamentary Service Commission, chaired by Mr Hunt, has decided that Parliament’s security should be enhanced, resulting in the introduction of extra measures here that have become standard in a number of Parliaments throughout the world, including Australia, he said.

The extra measures included the use of magnetometers (metal detector devices) which all visitors will have to pass through at all of the public entrances to the complex. Visitors to Parliament House would also be required to have any bags x-rayed on arrival. This would apply to all visitors coming through Parliament House to visit either the debating chamber or select committee rooms.

The number of unsupervised points of entry to the complex that can be used at present by those who have swipe card access would be reduced, he said.

The new measures will be phased in over the next few months.

‘The aim of these measures is not to close off the parliamentary complex to visitors and members of the public. Rather, they aim to ensure that the complex continues as a safe place for those who work in it and for those people who come to visit for legitimate purposes,’ said Mr Hunt.