Officials overturn ban on guards using 'mate'

[Vercz]

8/20/2005
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - No way, mate!

Officials at Australia\'s Parliament House on Friday overturned a day-old ban on guards and attendants using the word \"mate\" to address lawmakers and visitors after the new rule sparked outrage among prime ministers past and present.

The reversal came after Prime Minister John Howard said it was \"absurd\" to require security guards at the country\'s Parliament House to stop addressing visitors and lawmakers as \"mate.\"

Thursday, guards and attendants at the building in Canberra were told to stop using the common Australian expression of endearment following a complaint from a senior civil servant, media reported.

Hilary Penfold, secretary for the Department of Parliamentary Services, said the ban was intended to ensure that the staff does not offend visitors.

[url=\"http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050820/5043346.asp\"]http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050820/5043346.asp[/url]

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[color=\"green\"]ohh this gave my family and i a right laugh, lol [/color]

[Tami]

and there are of course no more important issues to be dealt with in Australia, right? /rolleyes.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':rolleyes:\' />

[Vercz]

[color=\"green\"]...no, not really /smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' /> thats about it at the moment[/color]

[Scott]

I love stereotypes /wub.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':wub:\' />

[Adrasteia]

LMAO - hey at least they overturned it lol