Australia art hidden from ex-MPs

Officials in the Australian parliament have removed valuable works of art to ensure they are not taken by MPs defeated in recent elections.

An official said that many significant artworks are loaned to MPs to decorate their offices.

But departing parliamentary staff have been told they are only allowed to take away items they brought in with them.

About 500 staff lost their jobs when Labor defeated the ruling centre-right coalition in last weekend's vote.

Clear out

The parliament in Canberra has been buzzing with activity this week as staff begin leaving their offices in Parliament House.

Hillary Penfold, Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, said many of those offices are decorated with art from the national collection.

She told a local radio station that such art could accidentally be removed by MPs as they cleaned out their offices.

"We do make sure we take out all our artworks, all the Parliament House's art collection that are in people's offices, before too much disappears," she said.

The Australian parliament's art collection contains over 5,000 works of art and is described by Parliament House as "a critical element of the experience for visitors".