Federal MPs have baulked at reports visitors could be stopped from rolling down the grass slopes of Parliament House under a security crackdown to guard against terror attacks.
They may soon be barred from walking over the heads of their elected representatives and tumbling down the complex's signature sloping laws, as authorities reportedly flag fears about the building's vulnerability to attack.
Nationals MP Andrew Broad has a clear message: "Let them roll down the grass."
"Children come to the parliament, they want to come into the gallery, they want to see members of parliament, they want to walk over our heads, they want to roll down the grass," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"Let's not let terrorists destroy our way of life."
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Liberal senator Chris Back also hopes the grass hills aren't blocked off, recalling how he proudly tells his West Australian constituents it's the only parliament in the world you can walk over.
"If we were to lose that then I think the people would lose," he told reporters, describing the building as symbolic of the Australian way of life.
"Yes it's a risk, life's a risk."
Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann says he feels safe in Parliament House, but says he's not an expert.
"I trust that the experts make sensible decisions, appropriately balancing the need for access with the need obviously for sensible security arrangements," he told ABC TV.
Mr Broad hasn't tumbled down the iconic grass slope since he was a child, but thinks it might be time for another attempt.
"I reckon at the end of the year that'd be a good look; all the pollies finish the parliament with a good roll down the grass and tell people that parliament ultimately is about a bit of fun," he said.
Other security upgrades are believed to include more barriers, fencing and gates, fewer pedestrian entry points and extra machine gun-equipped police, Fairfax Media reports.
A number of changes have reportedly received support from the major parties in the lower house and will be put to senators this week, with a view to beginning the works over summer.
Security both inside and outside the 250,000 square metre premises has been stepped up significantly since 2014, when intelligence services intercepted "chatter" in terror networks about an attack on the building.
The issue was discussed at Tuesday's Labor caucus meeting, with two MPs raising concerns about access to the top of Parliament House.
Labor leader Bill Shorten, who has been briefed on the new arrangements, told the meeting the symbolism of allowing the public to have access to the top of the building remained.
He encouraged all MPs to get a briefing from the presiding officers.
The caucus did not move any resolutions regarding the issue.
