The new speaker Milton Dick has backed Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather when he refused to wear a tie in question time.
“This is not a barbecue. This is question time in the Australian parliament. What next, board shorts and thongs? Maybe a onesie in winter,” he said in a statement following the controversy.
“Some may say that it’s a minor matter to not comply with the dress standard but what it says to many, including me, is that there is little respect for the tradition and history of our parliament.”the standard of dress in the chamber is a matter for the individual judgment of the member, but “the ultimate discretion rests with the Speaker”.
Indeed, the 1000-page tome documents the evolution of that discretion over the decades. In 1977, the Speaker ruled tailored safari suits without a tie were acceptable, laying the foundation for Ruddock’s camel-coloured number decades later. Earlier rulings dating back to the 1920s permitted members to wear hats, but not when entering or leaving the chamber or while speaking.
This was endorsed by Speaker David Hawker in 2005, who permitted tieless forays into the chamber in some circumstances, but drew a firm line at “casual wear”. “However, while I accept that members hurrying to attend a division or quorum will sometimes arrive without a jacket or tie, it is not in keeping with the dignity of the House for members to arrive in casual or sports wear,” he said.Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘This is not a barbecue’: Nationals MP outraged as Greens MP forgoes tie in question timeNot since Liberal MP Philip Ruddock strode into the chamber in a safari suit in 2015 has the chamber been so scandalised by fashion choices | LisaVisentin
Read more »
‘This is not a barbecue’: Nationals MP outraged as Greens MP forgoes tie in question timeThe new speaker Milton Dick has backed Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather when he refused to wear a tie in Question Time. auspol
Read more »
Bandt takes a swipe at Labor as he confirms Greens support on climate billThe Greens will support Labor’s Climate Change Bill when it hits both houses of Parliament but leader Adam Bandt has vowed to continue the “fight to stop” the government opening more fossil fuel projects.
Read more »
Greens close in on climate deal as Dutton goes nuclearThe Greens were inching towards a climate change deal with Labor on Tuesday night, while the Coalition has decided it will name its own emission reduction target.
Read more »
Morning mail: Greens in ‘powerful position’ on climate, call for ‘virtual’ nurses, Nancy Pelosi visits TaiwanWednesday: Adam Bandt to declare Liberals ‘irrelevant’ in scathing attack amid jostling over emissions bill. Plus more rain tipped for spring
Read more »
Greens ramp up pressure for free childcare and dental before year's endThe Greens argue the measures would save the average household thousands, and the government could pay for the $182 billion measures by taxing gas companies and extremely wealthy Australians.
Read more »