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SENATE President Wade Mark has ruled that he would take action against any entities which may harass, intimidate or attempt to shame senators for their statements and how they vote while in the Upper House.

Mark's ruling came at the start of the sitting on June 30 ahead of the debate on vote on the Prime Minister Pension (Amendment) Bill. While he did not say what triggered his warning, it came one day after UNC PRO Dr Kirk Meighoo called into question the impartiality of the Independent Bench during a press conference.

Mark said parliamentarians were constitutionally protected from external interference, giving them the freedom to speak, deliberate, and vote without fear or coercion. While he admitted that healthy criticism was expected in a functional democracy and it was acceptable to express disappointment over voting or policy outcomes, the recent statements were more severe.