Series 02: Alan Gibson Stewart papers, 1987-1989 - Page 265
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bells There was a bell to start the sitting day and a bell to end it. In between, there were bells to call us into the chamber (classroom) to vote or to make up a quorum. We must not leave the premises during the sitting day without permission of the whip. Wherever we went in the House the bells could reach us; even in the library or toilets. When the division bell went, summoning members to a vote, we must drop what we were doing and hurry to the chamber before the doors were locked (withing three minutes).
If we missed a vote we would have to suffer the wrath of Flaherty, who had a function not unlike that of head prefect. He was responsible for discipline in the Labor caucus (class) and was in contact with his counterparts, the Liberal and Country Party whips. Sometimes pairs could be negotiated, to allow equal members from each side to be absent, but applications for these were not encouraged. Sickies were not acceptable. Attendance was compulsory except in cases of dire emergency--and then prior leave must be obtained from the whip. He told us a harrowing story of a member being carried into the chamber on a stretcher to save the government in a crucial vote. Such discipline would not be relaxed now that the the Government had a big majority. We listened attentively, as if in fear of the cane.
The new members were invited to an explanation of.