Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Announcements

COVID-19

The SPEAKER (12:06): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that update on positions in the opposition. Before calling for questions, there are two matters.

First, I wish to update the house on the measures that Parliament’s incident management team have put in place for this sitting week in light of the most recent advice from the chief health officer about the COVID-19 global pandemic. As we advised through email yesterday, only passholders will be allowed in Parliament this week. This includes the accredited media. This means no public or school tours, visitors or the public in the galleries, and no events or functions. The President and I realise these are significant steps for a Parliament that prides itself on being open and accessible to the community. I want to thank both the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business for their cooperation through the process over the last couple of weeks.

Members, including ministers who wish to have a non-passholder attend the precinct, must first seek approval from the President or me. The vestibule will be closed from today until further notice. Access to Parliament House will be via the back entrance only. Extra staff have been rostered there to help you.

Members are requested to reduce the number of staff they bring to Parliament House. The parliamentary departments have shut down some activities not essential to the sitting of the houses this week to reduce the number of staff in the precinct. Other staff are working from home. There will be increased cleaning of surfaces in key areas within the Parliament this week. We ask all members and staff to continue to practise the hygiene advice that has been circulated. We remind members and staff that the chief health officer has advised people who feel ill to stay at home.

The COVID-19 situation evolves daily, and we must act on the most up-to-date advice. On behalf of all members, I thank our hardworking public health officials and medical teams. We know that the hardest days are yet to come, and we will work together as a community to manage the effects as best we can.