Speaker reverses decision to ban media from watching parliament

The decision to keep members of the media out of parliamentary galleries has been reversed.

UPDATE: The Speaker of the NT Legislative Assembly has reversed the decision to keep media out of parliamentary galleries.

In an email to accredited members of media, Ngaree Ah Kit said she spoke to the Chief Health Officer to get advice on whether the galleries could be reopened.

“Noting the risk that Covid-19 currently poses, I can advise that I will open the Media Gallery,” she wrote.

The following public health measures will be in place:

– maintain 1.5m distance, with a maximum eight people allowed in at one time

– masks must be worn

– hand sanitiser will be provided

– and no symptomatic people will be allowed

Ms Ah Kit’s decision was sent out at the exact time Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro was speaking.

Ms Finocchiaro said the decision was welcomed by her party.

“That is wonderful news,” she said.

“It’s a breath of fresh air to say that people will be returning to the People’s House, which is Parliament House.”

Speaker grilled on journalist ban in parliament

SPEAKER Ngaree Ah Kit was questioned by the CLP over what health advice she sought before banning journalists and the public from watching NT parliament in person.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro in Question Time on Tuesday asked whether Ms Ah Kit was “directed to close the galleries so that the government could limit its exposure to scrutiny and accountability”.

Ms Ah Kit denied having consulted with the government before closing the media and public galleries, instead saying she was trying to limit the spread of Covid-19.

“I as the speaker of the Legislative Assembly take all measures to abide by the chief health officer directions as we are in a global pandemic,” she said. There have been no restrictions on holding press conferences or functions in Parliament House.

Speaker Hon Ngaree Ah Kit. Photograph: Che Chorley

Ms Ah Kit said she closed the galleries to limit the possibility of infections in the chamber.

“I guess the part that stuck out for me is that, the more people who come into a space, there is more potential to spread Covid-19,” she said. A number of other measures have been implemented. Politicians are required to have a rapid test every day, and are required to move seats away from anyone who is addressing the chamber without a mask.

Speaker’s vague excuse for unprecedented ban

SPEAKER Ngaree Ah Kit has continued to evade questions as to why she has barred the public and press from attending sessions of NT Parliament.

Breaking her silence more than 48 hours after being contacted for comment by the NT News, Ms Ah Kit cited a vague “risk assessment” as the reason behind the closure.

Ms Ah Kit’s decision to ban journalists is an unprecedented step, given press galleries have remained open in Canberra throughout the pandemic.

“I am mindful to take the necessary precautions to minimise the risk of Covid-19 infection to Elected Members and staff working in the Chamber during our meetings, as we spend a considerable amount of time together on Sitting days,” she said.

“Whilst I understand that the closure of public galleries has caused some inconvenience, I will continue to do all I can to keep Elected Members and staff working in the Chamber as safe as possible during our meetings.”

Speaker Ngaree Ah Kit. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Ms Ah Kit did not address the decision around the press gallery, despite being directly questioned on the move by the NT News.

Ms Ah Kit was elected to the seat of Karama for the Labor Party in 2016. Prior to becoming Speaker, she was an assistant minister under Chief Minister Michael Gunner.

The decision has sparked considerable concern from the Opposition. CLP spokeswoman Marie-Clare Boothby on Friday said the decision would have a detrimental impact on government transparency.

Former speaker Kezia Purick said she would not have closed the galleries if she still held the chair.

“The media gallery in particular, which is behind the Speaker’s chair, is huge,” Ms Purick told Mix 104.9’s Katie Woolf.

“You could fit 100 people up there.”

‘Could fit 100 people up there’: Former speaker blasts drastic journalist ban

FORMER Speaker Kezia Purick has said she wouldn’t have barred journalists and the public from sitting in the galleries, a day after reporters were banished from observing Question Time in person.

Current speaker Ngaree Ah Kit released a statement on Thursday announcing the media gallery would be closed during sittings next week.

Public galleries, which had been closed last year due to anti-mandate protester concerns, would also not reopen.

Ms Ah Kit’s statement cited Covid-19 for the drastic step of barring journalists from attending in person, however government frontbencher Kate Worden suggested on Friday security concerns had also played a role.

Speaking with Katie Woolf on Mix 104.9 on Friday, Ms Purick said she would not have taken the step.

Former Speaker Kezia Purick.

Current speaker Ngaree Ah Kit. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“The media gallery in particular, which is behind the Speaker’s chair, is huge,” she said.

“You could fit 100 people up there.”

Ms Purick said she would’ve instead ensured staff were on hand to enforce social distancing and mask measures.

She also questioned why Ms Ah Kit had not stopped other events at Parliament House, including with Ministers.

“I’m a bit unsure as to the rationale.”

Press conferences by Chief Minister Michael Gunner or Health Minister Natasha Fyles, with up to a dozen journalists and cameramen in attendance, have been held inside Parliament House right through the current Omicron wave.

The CLP’s spokeswoman Marie-Clare Boothby said she understood why the public galleries were closed in the event of a safety issue.

The CLP’s Marie-Clare Boothby. Photograph: Che Chorley

But Ms Boothby said there were questions about whether the government were upholding their promise of public accountibility.

“This is a government that promised open and transparent government, and it’s done everything but.”

Ms Worden said the Speaker was independent of the government but urged media organisations to write to Ms Ah Kit to appeal her decision.

NT speaker bars journalists, public from parliament

THE Speaker of NT Legislative Assembly, Ngaree Ah Kit, has ruled that public galleries will be closed for next week’s sittings.

And in an unprecedented move, Ms Ah Kit has also barred journalists from sitting in the dedicated media gallery.

A notice from the Speaker’s office released on Thursday said the decision was made in light of Covid-19 outbreaks across the Territory.

The closure of viewing galleries is despite Parliament House being used for an Australian of the Year ceremony on January 21.

Journalists also frequently attend press conferences for the Chief Minister and Health Minister inside Parliament House.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said the decision to close the galleries would “hinder access to the democratic process”.

“Closing the public galleries should categorically be the exception, not the rule,” Ms Finocchiaro said.