Well done Madam Speaker

While the Government has been defending the eviction of a press gallery journalist from covering Chinese officials, the Speaker has stepped in and is usefully cutting through the spin.

Dr Cullen claimed that the journalist was at fault and was removed because he caused a disturbance. But footage shows he was evicted on instructions from a Chinese official.

The Speaker has said the incident disturbs her, and she will write to the Chinese Government to make it clear they can not be selective with media in attendance, and she will also meet the Police Commissioner to make sure they follow her instructions on press gallery accreditation and attendance, not a foreign Government’s.

This is good, and this should be the last time such an incident occurs.