Hrp 6 chapter 4

120 House of Representatives Practice The televised proceedings of the House and the Federation Chamber, as well as some of the public hearings of parliamentary committees, are broadcast live on the House Monitoring Service within Parliament House (and externally to government departments) and over the internet.
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This official broadcast is also available for the use of the television networks. The live proceedings are currently broadcast nationally by A-PAC (Australian Public Affairs Channel, and within Canberra by the TransACT cable network.
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Question Time is televised live by the ABC.
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The vision and sound feed provided to networks is produced by parliamentary camera operators in accordance with the following guidelines
1. As a general principle, the on-air camera should be directed toward the Senator/Member having the call.
2. Panning shots are permitted for the purpose of showing Senators/Members listening to debate.
3. Reaction shots of Senators/Members are permitted a) when the Senator/Member has sought information which is being supplied by a
Senator/Member having the call orb) when the Senator/Member is referred to in debate.
4. If exchanges between Senators/Members are too rapid to permit normal camera switching, a wide shot of the Senators/Members involved is permitted.
5. Disturbances in the galleries or on the floor of either chamber are not to be broadcast.
6. Directions of the relevant Presiding Officer and his or her delegate in relation to the operations of the sound and vision equipment in the Senate or House of Representatives Chamber are to be observed.
Legal aspects
Members are covered by absolute privilege in respect of statements made in the House, whether or not the House is being broadcast. Absolute privilege also attaches to those persons authorised to broadcast or rebroadcast the proceedings by the Parliamentary Proceedings Broadcasting Act, which provides that No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, shall lie against any person for broadcasting or rebroadcasting any portion of the proceedings of either House of the Parliament or of a joint sitting. The Broadcasting Act does not cover television broadcasts, apart from those of joint sittings made pursuant to the Act. However, it is considered that the televising of House proceedings would be protected by section 10 of the Parliamentary Privileges Act if the broadcast is a fair and accurate report of proceedings. Only qualified privilege maybe held to attach to the broadcast of excerpts of proceedings, and it maybe considered that this situation is appropriate given the fact that those involved in the broadcasting of excerpts act essentially on their own initiative, whereas those involved in the official radio broadcast and rebroadcast of proceedings have no discretion in the matter, being required to perform these functions by the law. Photographs and films of proceedings Visitors and members of the public are not permitted to take cameras into the galleries during proceedings. Only parliamentary staff are authorised to film proceedings in the Chamber. In 1992, following the decision by the House to authorise the live televising of its proceedings, the Speaker approved access to certain proceedings for still photography. With the establishment of the Main Committee (now Federation Chamber, similar access
78 Accessible through the Parliaments website at http://www.aph.gov.au/.
79 A-PAC is funded by pay television networks and provided free of charge. TransACT is a Canberra based pay television network.
80 Or rebroadcast later at night on those days when Senate Question Time is televised live.

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