A tricky Parliament House water feature has claimed another victim.

Torres Strait Islander woman Dulcie Flower fell into the fountain this morning while at an event with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull marking the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum and 25 years since the Mabo decision.

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Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce went in literally boots and all to help, impressing observers with how quickly he moved to assist.

After rendering aid and reaching in to pull Ms Flower's walking stick from the fountain, Mr Joyce then took off his boots, releasing a small stream of water.

Ms Flower was unhurt and now joins quite a list of visitors and occupants who have been caught by the Pool of Reflection — which is now regarded by many as "a bloody trap".

Guardian photographer Mike Bowers has been in twice.

Once he was walking backwards while snapping pictures. "[I think it was Hawkie [former prime minister Bob Hawke]," Bowers said.

"The other time I had had a few drinks — it was a Christmas function — I am not counting that one. It was drink-assisted.

"All sorts of people have been in there over the years."

The water feature catches so many because of an almost invisible gap between the floor and the fountain itself.

"The ground drops away from you and you end up in this moat," Bowers said.

Often Parliamentary officers take precautions to stop tumbles into the fountain, but this morning they had not installed the protective cover they sometimes use to close the gap.

While not designed as a wishing well, many Parliament House visitors throw coins into the black stone fountain.

Following questions raised about the fate of that money a decade ago, it has been fished out and given to charity.