ACT senator David Pocock denied Auslan interpreter for first speech in Senate

Under the Senate rules, Pocock was required to ask both major parties and the Greens for permission for a ‘stranger on the floor’. Photograph: Martin Ollman/Getty Images

Independent ACT senator David Pocock has had his request for an Auslan interpreter in the Senate to translate his first speech denied by the major parties, who are worried about the “precedent” it would set.

Pocock, who will deliver his first speech to the Senate on Monday, had agreed to have an Auslan interpreter stand by his side, live translating his words for the hearing impaired.