Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Rulings from the Chair

Public gallery

The PRESIDENT (15:30): Before I call Mr Tarlamis to postpone government notices of motions, I was asked by a member to make a statement on acceptable dress standards for members of the public who sit in the gallery. It has always been the case, to some extent, that the same rules apply to members of the gallery as the chamber. For example, it is a longstanding practice that people in the gallery should not display political or offensive signs or banners or wear attire with political slogans, particularly as these are intended to distract from the proceedings. Members of the public will be asked to cover up or remove such attire, consistent with our longstanding practices. The gallery, like the chamber, is not where you conduct protests or display party-political advertising, and that has been a long standard.

In regard to other clothing, the Chair must always consider the context in which it is worn. Victoria is a diverse, multicultural and inclusive community, and I would not want to make a rule preventing any Victorian who chooses to wear their traditional dress or culturally appropriate clothing from watching proceedings from the public gallery. However, in some circumstances a different person wearing the same clothing to draw attention to an issue or make a political statement may not be appropriate.

I was specifically asked whether people in the gallery are permitted to wear the keffiyeh scarf. At this point I do not want to apply a specific restriction to people in the gallery on this particular attire. I think it would be unworkable for the staff and the Chair to enforce. I do not think it is necessary at this point. However, I ask members to carefully consider what visitors that they do bring into the lower gallery may be wearing, and if I believe that visitors are intentionally distracting from our core business by such actions, I will review this ruling.