Greenwash Political Action Party and Urban Grassroots Movement for the Green Party

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Family First secret filming

Has the novice Family First Senator Fielding broken Senate rules on filming inside Parliament House?

There are strict rules about where and when TV film crews are allowed to film in the private areas of Parliament House. This is designed to accord MPs and their visitors some privacy - without fear of being nabbed on camera for every little thing they do.

But Steven Fielding in one of his lame video blogs ("Steve in Corridors at Parliament") appears to be filming inside one the Senate corridors having a go at those Senators who supported RU486.

Mr Fielding takes exception to a temporary paper sign sticky taped to the wall directing people to “RU486 drinks”. Presumably some Senators were having a quiet drink to celebrate rolling John Howard and Tony Abbot.

While Mr Fielding and the likes of Piers Ackerman (who had a rant on ABC’s Insiders last weekend) were critical of the drinks, the issue now is did Mr Fielding breach Senate rules by secretly filming inside Parliament House?

Did he ask permission to film? Was the Senate President or the Black Rod's office asked? If so on what grounds did they let him?

I’ve written to Senate President Paul Calvert asking for an explanation but as yet no response. [A timely, polite and action orientated response was later received]

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Dear President

I have just been viewing a video on Senator Steven Fielding's website (www.stevefielding.com.au/html/videonews.html). In the video ("Feb 17, 2006 Steve in Corridors at Parliament") Mr Fielding is standing in a corridor of Parliament House (Senate side) talking to the camera while alluding to a sign in the Senate corridor.

Is it normal practice to allow filming in the Senate corridors? Did Mr Fielding ask permission for this filming?

Thank-you

Ben Oquist
(ex Parliament House staffer)'

Senate President acts, Family First hits back
Following this blog and my letter to the Senate President, Family First has issued the attached media release Family-First-media-release.pdf

The Sydney Morning Herald Stay in Touch column has now covered the story

posted by Ben Oquist # 11:54 AM 8 comments