‘Having Sprite in parliament made our workplace all the more kinder and gentler,’ MPs’ letter says

Sixty MPs – across government, the opposition and the crossbench – have penned a letter calling for the ban on the popular rescue dog to be overturned.

Sprite’s owner was told last month he couldn’t be brought back because it isn’t appropriate for him to be in the workplace. Picture: David Crosling

Dozens of MPs from all sides of politics have started a petition to overturn a ban and let popular rescue dog Sprite re-attend parliament.

For more than a year, elderly pooch, Sprite, attended parliament during sitting weeks where he became a hugely popular figure among politicians, staffers, journalists and other visitors to the building.

But last month Sprite’s owner was abruptly told that he couldn’t be brought back because it isn’t appropriate for him to be in the workplace, sparking furious backlash from MPs.

On Thursday, about 60 MPs – across government, the opposition and the crossbench – penned a letter to the Department of Parliamentary Services calling for Sprite to be allowed on the precinct for the last sitting week of the year.

Sprite attended parliament during sitting weeks for more than a year. Picture: Instagram

The move was led by Labor MPs Sonja Terpstra and Steve McGhie, and received support from ministers Jaclyn Symes, Ingrid Stitt, Gayle Tierney, Enver Erdogan and shadow Ministers including David Southwick.

The co-signed letter read: “Our roles in Parliament can expose Members and our staff to instances of bullying, sexual harassment, aggression or violence, exposure to traumatic events or content, high job demands, poor support, poor environmental conditions. For the many benefits that he provides, we the hereby signed humbly request that Sprite be permitted back for the last week of Parliament.”

It comes just a day after the parliament hosted an event with RSPCA Victoria who spoke of the importance of animals and the psychological benefits that comes with interacting with dogs.

Ms Terpstra, who brought her dog Skye to parliament this week, said it is important to recognise the benefits that dogs can bring to the workplace.

“The parliament is a unique and very often challenging environment and having Sprite in parliament made our workplace all the more kinder and gentler,” she said.

“Having him back in Spring Street is widely supported by Labor, Liberal and crossbench MPs in a show of unity for Sprite.”

A Department of Parliamentary Services spokesman last month said Sprite continued to be “very welcome” at parliament but only during organised Pets on Precinct days.