Parliament locks out MPs

By Ray Smith

HOBART -- The speaker of state parliament, Graeme Page, will introduce legislation in the new year to protect members of parliament from their constituents.

This follows an embarrassing incident on November 16 for the speaker, who is responsible for security. In an attempt to prevent the entry into Parliament House of two anti-battery hen campaigners, two MPs were also locked out, causing an adjournment of the parliamentary session.

As a result, Page has asked the solicitor-general to suggest legislation to allow the speaker to direct police to arrest disappointed and vocal constituents from the “people's house”.

In the same week, gay and lesbian rights activist Rodney Croome and Wilderness Society member Alec Marr were denied unaccompanied security passes to Parliament House because of their involvement in a protest action in the chamber several years ago.

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