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Visiting Parliament House

Public Galleries

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the public galleries whenever the House of Assembly or the Legislative Council are sitting. Bookings are not taken for the Public Galleries. Visitors are required to go through security screening and sign in prior to attending the galleries. During busy periods, such as immediately prior to the House sitting, there can be delays, so please allow time for these processes.

House of Assembly

Key Information:
  • Sits: Tuesday-Thursday, in specified weeks.
  • Begins: 10am.
  • Question Time: 10am until approximately 11.15am.
  • Suspension: 1pm, resumes at 2.30pm.
  • Finishes: Variable, generally by 7.00pm Tuesday and Thursday, and slightly later on Wednesday.

An indicative look at the planned business for the day is published at approximately 9.45am, and can be found under "Order of Business" on the relevant date. Government Business is predominantly debated on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Private Members  - for example Opposition and Crossbench Members - Business on Wednesdays.

More information about the order of business within the House can be found in the Standing Orders.

Legislative Council

The Legislative Council also sits Tuesday-Thursday in line with the Legislative Council Sitting Calendar for the year.

The Legislative Council typically begins sitting at 11am, and breaks between 1pm and 2.30pm. At other times proceedings may pause to enable members to attend briefings. More information about the sitting arrangements of the Legislative Council may be found in the Standing Orders and Sessional Orders.

As seen on the schedule above, for procedural reasons, the Council also very briefly meets on selected Fridays, generally for the period between 9.30 and 9.40am.

Ha Chamber from Gallery

View of House of Assembly Chamber from Public Gallery

LC Chamber from Gallery

View of Legislative Council Chamber from Public Gallery

Public Tours

Tours focus on the history of Parliament House and the role of the Parliament. The tour includes the Parliamentary Museum and both chambers of Parliament. All tours are free of charge, and run for approximately one hour.

Tours are conducted at 9.30am and 2.00pm on non-sitting weekdays only, which can be found using the combined sitting calendar. Bookings are encouraged, please contact the House of Assembly on (03) 6212 2200 or email tours@parliament.tas.gov.au .

For groups of more than 15, bookings are essential and can be made using the details above. The preferred group size is 25 or fewer but it may be possible to arrange for two groups to be scheduled at the same time.

Information for schools and home education groups is available here or by contacting the Education Office on (03) 6212 2275.

Other Visitations

For all appointments and events at Parliament House, access is via the central main doors, facing Parliament Lawns.

Please note that Parliament Square is accessed via Salamanca Place.