Parliament speaker redraws Parliament precinct to protect proceedings

The Speaker of Parliament has redrawn the precinct around the building to protect proceedings, and ensure that Members can enter and leave without obstruction.

The precinct was first defined by Sir Bob Peliza to include the Piazza and the public highways on three sides of it. This was narrowed by Adolfo Canepa in 2019 to include only the lobby and the area directly in front of the three arches on the western pavement.

However, Karen Ramagge Phillips said she recognised the importance of the area as a community hub, but said the protection of Parliament and its integrity must extend to the immediate setting in which it stands.