SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

No Twitter-ban in House of Representatives: Speaker

Politicians will be allowed to continue "tweeting" in the House of Representatives, with the Speaker deciding against a social media ban.

steve_Gibbons_130313_AAP_838080510

2 min read

Published

Updated

By Richard Davis

Source: SBS


Skip to article content

Politicians will be allowed to continue "tweeting" in the House of Representatives, with the Speaker deciding against a social media ban.

Have your say: Should MPs tweet during question time?

Today Anna Burke ruled that MPs should be allowed to continue tweeting provided they did not offend members of the general public.

"To prevent tweeting would necessitate a blanket restriction on all electronic and communication devices in the chamber," the Speaker said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

But Anna Burke's warned that MPs should take more care in the 'Twitterverse'.

"I do acknowledge that public communications emanating from the chamber is a recent phenomena which could impact on deliberations," she added.

Yesterday social media and the parliament collided.

Labor backbencher, Steve Gibbons tweeted that Tony Abbott had quote contracted out his "nasty side" to interjectors in the public gallery.

"Looks like @tonyabbottmhr has contracted out his nasty side to interjector's [sic] in the public gallery. A new low even for the Libs!" Steve Gibbons tweeted.

Liberal MP Christopher Pyne requested the Speaker ask Mr Gibbons to withdraw the "inappropriate" and "Offensive" tweet, but the original message is still on Mr Gibbons' twitter feed.

The Opposition suggested there should be a ban on bitter twitters.

Although the Speaker and other members of Parliament support social media use during question time, the public isn't so sure.

A poll by the Sydney Morning Herald shows that almost 75 percent of responders feel tweeting during question time is a "distraction".


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world