State Parliament evacuated while Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council sitting

State Parliament was evacuated this afternoon, disrupting business on a sitting day, and forcing dozens of MPs to vacate the building.

The alarm sounded shortly after 4.35pm on Wednesday afternoon, while both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council were sitting.

MPs, political and building staff and journalists streamed out of Parliament, and gathered on lawns outside for about 20 minutes.

One Parliament House staffer was spotted holding the Legislative Assembly mace — the oldest in Australia.

Firefighters arrived at the building after about five minutes, and the all clear was given shortly before 5pm, with both chambers resuming sitting shortly after.

It was not the first time on Wednesday that firefighters had been at Parliament, with the United Firefighters Union campaigning for wage increases.

The fire engine that arrived at Parliament on Wednesday afternoon carried messages of support for pay rises for firefighters.

A spokesman for Parliament House has been contacted for comment.