Can the advisers of Parliamentarians go into the chambers?

Members of parliament have staff to help them do their jobs. Sometimes senators and members of the House of Representatives need the help of their staff. For example, a minister might need information to answer a question during Question Time or a member of the opposition requires information during a debate on a bill – a proposed law.

In both the Senate and House of Representatives parliamentary staff can be invited to sit in the advisers’ box. These seats are located at the end of the government and opposition benches close to the President of the Senate's and Speaker of the House of Representatives' chairs. This is the only place they are allowed to sit and they can’t move about the room. Members of parliament must move to the advisers’ box if they need to speak with their staff member.

Men and women are talking and looking at a laptop.

Member of the House of Representatives talking to their advisers.

DPS Auspic

Member of the House of Representatives talking to their advisers.

Men and women are talking and looking at a laptop.

DPS Auspic

Description

Two members of parliament talk to advisers during Question Time in the House of Representatives.