Despatch box

A despatch box (alternatively dispatch box) is a wooden box used as a lectern from which frontbench members of Parliament deliver speeches to their parliamentary chamber.

The original purpose of the despatch box was for members to carry documents and other belongings with them into the chamber. In modern times, two ornate wooden despatch boxes are found in the Australian House of Representatives and the British House of Commons, generally with one box on the Government side and one on the Opposition side of the table that divides the opposing frontbenches. Whereas backbenchers in both Parliaments generally deliver addresses to the chamber while standing at their seat, frontbenchers (ministers and shadow ministers) deliver their addresses from their side's despatch box. For this reason, the expression "speaking from the despatch box" is often used to describe the performance of a member of parliament (even backbenchers) in addressing the chamber.