1. All previous Standing Orders are repealed.

On the first day of a new Parliament after a General Election the proceedings shall be as follows:

1. Members shall assemble at the time and place specified in the Governor’s proclamation calling Parliament together and the Clerk shall read the Proclamation and announce the receipt of writs of election and the list of Members elected.

2. The House shall await a message from the Commissioner(s) appointed by the Governor for the Opening of Parliament.

3. The House shall attend at the place named in the message to hear the commission read. The House shall then return to its own Chamber.

4. The Commissioner(s) appointed by the Governor for administering the pledge or oath to Members shall be announced, and the commission read by the Clerk.

5. The writ of election of each Member, with the return endorsed, shall be produced by the Clerk.

6. Members shall make a pledge of loyalty or oath as prescribed by law and sign the roll.

7. The House shall then elect a Speaker (see SOs 10, 10A and 10B and Constitution Act 1902, section 31B).

8. Until a Speaker is elected, the Clerk shall preside and in any debate shall decide any point of order and determine which Member is entitled to address the House.

9. A Minister may then inform the House when the Governor will summon the House for the hearing of the Governor’s reasons for calling the Parliament together. The House may then adjourn to that hour.

On the first sitting day of a new session the proceedings shall be as follows:

1. Members shall assemble at the time and place specified in the Governor’s proclamation and the Clerk shall read the proclamation.

2. The Speaker shall read the prayer and acknowledgement of country and the House shall await a message from the Governor summoning the House to hear the Governor’s opening speech or the commission read opening the session.

3. On receipt of the message the House shall attend at the place appointed.

4. Before the speech or commission is reported the House shall conduct some business of a formal nature without notice, in assertion of its rights.

5. After hearing the speech or commission read, the Speaker shall report and table the speech or the commission.

An Address in Reply to the Governor’s speech may be moved and seconded immediately after the speech is reported and tabled.

The debate on the Address in Reply to the Governor’s Opening Speech shall take precedence of general business.

The Address in Reply may be adopted by the House with or without amendment.

The Address in Reply shall be presented to the Governor by the Speaker accompanied by the mover and seconder and other Members of the House at the time communicated to the Speaker by the Governor.

When the Sovereign attends a session, references to the Governor shall be read and construed as references to the Sovereign.

1. Following election, the Speaker, when not presiding in accordance with section 31 of the Constitution Act 1902, is not precluded from participating in debate or discussion or from voting on any question.

2. The Speaker may, from time to time, issue guidelines in relation to matters not provided for in the Standing Orders.

1. An election for Speaker shall take place at:

   1. the opening of a new Parliament after the Members have been sworn or made an affirmation; or

   2. any time when the office of Speaker is vacant. (See SO 16 regarding the conduct of business when a vacancy in the office of Speaker occurs when the House is sitting.)

2. The election shall be conducted by the Clerk acting as Chair in the manner provided below in standing orders 10A and 10B.

The nomination process for the election of the Speaker must be in accordance with section 31B of the Constitution Act 1902. In addition, the following procedures must apply:

1. In the case of the election of the Speaker following a General Election, at least one week before the scheduled sitting all Members will be notified by the Clerk that nominations for the office of Speaker will be called for at the prescribed time (immediately after Members have taken the pledge or oath). A sample copy of the nomination form will be attached to the notification.

2. In the case of the election of the Speaker due to a vacancy arising in the office of the Speaker, the Clerk will notify all Members as soon as practicable that nominations for the office of Speaker will be called for at the start of the next sitting day. A sample copy of the nomination form will be attached to the notification.

3. Nominations must be seconded.

4. The Member nominated must accept the nomination by endorsement on the instrument of nomination.

5. At the prescribed time of the first day of sitting or in the case of a vacancy in the office of the Speaker at the commencement of the next sitting day, nominations are to be delivered to the Clerk at the Table in a sealed envelope by the person nominated or by any other Member.

6. The identity of the nominator and seconder are not to be disclosed by the Clerk.

7. The Clerk will ask the House if it is satisfied that reasonable opportunity has been given for the receipt of nominations, and advise that further nominations may not be made between ballots.

8. The Clerk will then declare nominations to be closed.

The process for the election of the Speaker must be in accordance with section 31B of the Constitution Act 1902. In addition, the following procedures apply:

1. Until a Speaker is elected, the Clerk shall preside and, in any debate, shall decide any point of order and determine which Member is entitled to address the House.

2. In conducting the election, the Clerk will:

   1. announce the number of nominations received.

   2. if there is one valid nomination, declare that Member to be elected.

   3. if there is more than one valid nomination, announce the fact that a ballot will be required.

   4. inquire if any Member wishes to speak to the nominations; any Member may speak for no more than ten minutes each. During debate, a Minister may move at any time without notice ‘That the ballot be taken now’. The question is put immediately and without amendment or debate. If the votes are equal, the question is negatived. If the question is carried, or when debate ends, the House proceeds to a ballot.

   5. have ballot papers prepared and initialled.

   6. order that the bells be rung as prescribed for the taking of a ballot.

   7. call each Member by order of electorate, with Members proceeding to the Table to collect a ballot paper. The names of Members issued with ballot papers will be crossed off a list.

3. After collecting a ballot paper, Members will cast their vote in secret at the Table. Members will place their ballot paper in the locked ballot box on the Table, before returning to their seat.

4. When all Members present have been called, received a ballot paper, voted and placed a ballot paper in the ballot box the Clerk will ask if any Member has not voted and desires to do so. The Clerk will then ask the House if there is any objection to declaring the ballot closed.

5. The Clerk will then declare the ballot closed.

6. The votes will be counted by the Clerks.

7. The Clerk will report the result of the ballot and declare a Member to be elected or the House will proceed to further ballots or, if necessary, the Clerk will determine the question by lot, in accordance with s. 31B of the Constitution Act.

8. At no time during these proceedings will the Chamber be locked or the sitting suspended.

After election:

1. The elected Member shall be conducted to the Speaker’s rostrum by two Members.

2. Having been so conducted the Member elected makes acknowledgement to the House for the honour conferred and takes the Chair as Speaker. The Mace shall be taken from under the Table, and placed on the Table.

3. After the House congratulates the Speaker, a Minister shall inform the House where and at what time the Governor will receive the House for the purpose of presenting the Speaker.

4. At the stated time the sitting may be adjourned or suspended and the House shall proceed, with any Members then present, to be received by the Governor. If the election occurs at the meeting of a new Parliament after a General Election

5. At such presentation the Speaker shall, in the name and on behalf of the House, lay claim to its undoubted rights and privileges.

6. On return the Speaker shall report the making of the claim.

   If the election occurs during the parliamentary term

7. A new Speaker filling a vacancy occurring during the currency of a Parliament does not lay claim to the privileges of the House.

The Deputy Speaker and an Assistant Speaker shall be elected on the first sitting day of a new Parliament or whenever either office becomes vacant.

The procedure for the election of the Deputy Speaker shall be as follows:

1. A motion shall be moved and seconded without notice that a Member be appointed Deputy Speaker.

2. The Speaker shall then ask if there is any further nomination, and if there is not, shall say that the time for motions has expired.

3. The Speaker shall, without motion put, declare the Member named in the motion to have been appointed Deputy Speaker.

4. If more than one motion for appointment is moved and seconded, the Speaker shall, after each subsequent motion, ask if there is any further motion, and if there is not, shall say that the time for motions has expired.

5. When there are no further motions debate may ensue.

6. No Member may speak for more than 5 minutes.

7. The closure may be moved on this question.

8. Before putting the question on the closure the Speaker shall ask whether there are any further motions. Such motions will be received, no debate being allowed.

9. If the question on the closure is carried the necessary questions shall be put in the order in which they have been moved.

The procedure for the election of the Assistant Speaker shall be the same as the procedure for the election of the Deputy Speaker.

1. In the absence of the Speaker on a day when the House is sitting the Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties of the Speaker.

2. In the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker on a day when the House is sitting the Assistant Speaker shall perform the duties of the Speaker.

3. In the absence of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker on a day when the House is sitting, a Temporary Speaker shall perform the duties of the Speaker.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Speaker:

1. When the House is sitting the Clerk shall inform the House and the Deputy Speaker shall perform the duties of the Speaker until the election of a new Speaker which shall take precedence of all other business on the next sitting day.

2. When the House is not sitting a new Speaker shall be elected on the next sitting day and such election shall take precedence of all other business.

If a vacancy occurs in the office of Deputy Speaker or Assistant Speaker, the House, on being informed by the Speaker, shall proceed to the election of a new Deputy Speaker or Assistant Speaker.

If the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Assistant Speaker and Temporary Speakers are all absent on a day when the House is sitting, the Clerk shall inform the House which shall, upon motion without notice, before any further business is conducted, proceed to the election of an Acting Speaker and:

1. The Clerk shall preside for the election of an Acting Speaker in the same manner as for the election of Deputy Speaker.

2. The Members present, if a quorum, may elect an Acting Speaker who shall perform the duties of the Speaker.

3. If the House does not proceed to an election the matter shall stand adjourned until the next sitting day or if a sitting day has not been set, a date set by the Government, when the election of an Acting Speaker, if still necessary, shall take precedence of all other business.

The Speaker shall nominate, at the commencement of each Parliament, not more than 5 Members as Temporary Speakers who, in the absence of the Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker, may exercise the powers and duties of the Speaker, and who shall be referred to whilst in the Chair as Temporary Speaker.

The Speaker may at any time revoke the nomination of a Member as a Temporary Speaker and nominate another Member.

The Deputy Speaker, Assistant Speaker or a Temporary Speaker shall take or vacate the Chair when requested to do so by the Speaker during a sitting.

In the absence of or in the event of a vacancy in the Office of the Clerk, the Clerk’s powers and functions shall be exercised by the officer next in seniority.

1. Any Member not present on the first day of a new Parliament shall, at a subsequent sitting make the pledge of loyalty or oath as prescribed in law and sign the roll.

2. A Member returned at a by-election may be escorted into the Chamber by Members and shall make the pledge of loyalty or oath and sign the roll.

The Clerk shall keep a roll which shall show the names of Members, their dates of election, the dates of signing the roll and the dates of cessation of service and the reasons.

At the commencement of each session, or on taking a seat, and within 14 days of any change, Members shall notify the Clerk of their residential and official address which shall be kept in a register by the Clerk.

During Question Time the front bench to the right of the Speaker shall be reserved for Ministers.

Every Member is bound to attend the service of the House and any committee to which they are appointed unless granted leave of absence by the House.

A motion may be moved at any time, without notice, amendment or debate, for a Member to be granted leave of absence. Such motion shall state the cause and the period, not exceeding the remainder of the current session.

Leave of absence shall be forfeited if the Member attends the service of the House or any committee before the expiry of the period of leave.

The Clerk shall record as the Votes and Proceedings:

1. The attendance of Members, including any leave of absence;

2. All votes;

3. Division lists;

4. Petitions received;

5. Proceedings in the House; and

6. Reports and other papers received and required to be tabled.

Unless objection is taken within 3 sitting days the Votes and Proceedings shall be signed by the Speaker and the Clerk.

1. The Clerk shall, after each sitting day, publish:

   1. The Votes and Proceedings.

   2. A Business Paper containing Notices of Motions and Orders of the Day.

   3. A Questions and Answers Paper.

2. During any adjournment of the House for two weeks or more a Questions and Answers Paper will be published from time to time containing answers received.

The Clerk shall publish a report of statutory rules listing the date gazetted, when laid upon the Table and the latest sitting day upon which a notice of disallowance may be given.

The Clerk shall have custody of all official records of the House and all papers tabled. Such papers shall not be taken from the Department of the Legislative Assembly without the permission of the Speaker.

The House may appoint, on the motion of a Minister at any time, without notice, the day(s) and the time(s) of meeting and adjournment.

The timing for bells is as follows:

Tuesdays

Bells are rung at 11.45 a.m. for 20 seconds and at 11.58 a.m. for 60 seconds.

Wednesdays

Bells are rung at 9.45 a.m. for 20 seconds and at 9.58 a.m. for 60 seconds.

Thursdays

Bells are rung at 9.45 a.m. for 20 seconds and at 9.58 a.m. for 60 seconds.

After lunch

Bells are rung at 2.15 p.m. for 20 seconds and at 2.28 p.m. for 60 seconds.

Division

One continuous bell for four minutes.

Quorum

One long continuous bell (for up to four minutes until a quorum is present in the Chamber).

House adjournment

Two short bells.

One long bell

A continuous bell rung at the discretion of the Chair.

The Speaker shall take the Chair at the time appointed on every day fixed for meeting.

The quorum necessary to constitute a meeting of the Assembly shall be at least 20 Members exclusive of the Member presiding (section 32, Constitution Act 1902).

When a quorum is not present at the commencement of the sitting:

1. The bells shall be rung for 4 minutes.

2. If a quorum is then not formed after that time the Speaker shall adjourn the House until the next sitting day and the names of the Members present shall be entered in the Votes and Proceedings.

3. If the next sitting day has not been appointed, the House shall adjourn to the next succeeding business day.

1. The Speaker or the Clerk shall read the following prayer after the Speaker takes the Chair each day.

   “Almighty God, we ask for your blessing upon this Parliament. Direct and prosper our deliberations to the true welfare of Australia and the people of New South Wales. Amen.”

2. The Speaker or the Clerk shall read the following acknowledgement of Country after reading the prayer each day:

   “We acknowledge the Traditional Owners, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands we represent and thank them for their custodianship of Country.”

If during a sitting, the Speaker leaves the Chair until an appointed time or until the ringing of one long bell, the House may recommence its business at that time even if there is not a quorum present.

If a Member states that a quorum is not present in the House:

1. The Speaker shall count the House.

2. If a quorum is not present the bells shall be rung for 4 minutes.

3. If after that time a quorum has not been formed, the names of the Members present shall be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings and the Speaker shall set down any business then before the House as an Order of the Day for a later time and adjourn the House until the next sitting day.

4. If the next sitting day has not been appointed, the House shall adjourn to the next succeeding business day.

The Speaker has discretion to proceed with business or order that the bells be rung on a second or any subsequent quorum call on any one sitting day.

If the tellers of a division report there is no quorum, the Speaker shall adjourn the House until the next sitting day. If the next sitting day has not been appointed, the House shall adjourn to the next succeeding business day.

It is disorderly for any Member:

1. To call attention to the absence of a quorum when a quorum is present.

2. To leave the Chamber after attention has been called to the absence of a quorum.

Members shall not be permitted to call attention to the want of a quorum:

1. During Private Members’ Statements or Community Recognition Statements;

2. During debate on a Petition signed by 10,000 or more persons;

3. During the take note debate on reports from committees; or

4. Before 10.30 a.m. on any sitting day.

1. Unless otherwise ordered, the House shall be adjourned without motion moved at the conclusion of Private Members' Statements.

2. A Minister may at any time move without notice a motion for the adjournment of the House.

The Government, in the public interest, may in writing to the Speaker or, in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, request the House meet at an earlier time than set down on adjournment. If satisfied, the Speaker shall:

1. Fix a day and time and

2. Communicate the day and time to all Members.

1. When the House is not sitting the Government, in the public interest, may in writing to the Speaker or, in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, request an alternative day or hour for the next meeting of the House. If satisfied, the Speaker shall:

   1. Fix a day and time; and

   2. Communicate the day and time to all Members.

2. The Speaker’s notification to each Member may be by electronic means.

3. This Sessional Order operates for the remainder of this session.

An absolute majority of Members may in writing to the Speaker, or in the absence of the Speaker the Deputy Speaker, request the House meet at an earlier time than set down on adjournment. The Speaker shall:

1. Fix a day and time within 10 days of the receipt of the request.

2. Communicate the day and time to all Members.

3. Accept an advice from the Leader of a recognised Party as a request on behalf of all its Members.

The Speaker shall maintain order in the House.

The Speaker has discretion at any time to pause the timing clock to maintain order in the House.

When the Speaker rises Members shall be seated and be silent.

When the Speaker is putting a question Members shall be silent and shall not leave or cross the Chamber.

When a Member is speaking other Members shall not converse or make any noise or disturbance.

Members shall not pass between the Chair and the Table or between the Chair and the Member speaking.

Members shall be seated unless entering, leaving or moving to any other part of the Chamber during debate and shall not stand in any of the passage ways.

A Member wishing to speak will not be recognised by the Speaker unless the Member rises and seeks the call. After being recognised the Member may then speak at the Table or from their seat.

A Member unable to stand because of illness or disability may speak while seated with the leave of the Speaker.

A Member may move without notice that a Member who has risen but not received the call “That the Member for …. be now heard”. The question shall be decided without debate or amendment.

A Member may move without notice in regard to a Member who is speaking “That the Member for …. be not further heard”. The question shall be decided without debate or amendment.

The Speaker may direct a Member to discontinue a speech if the Member persists in irrelevance or tedious repetition.

A Member, having been called to cease speaking, or any other Member, may require the Speaker to put the question, “That the Member for …. be further heard”. The question shall be decided without debate or amendment.

A Member may only speak:

1. To a question or proceeding before the House which is open to debate or discussion.

2. When moving a motion.

3. When moving an amendment.

4. When rising to a point of order or privilege.

5. To make a personal explanation.

6. In explanation.

A Member may, when there is no question before the Chair and with the leave of the Speaker, explain a matter of a personal nature. A personal explanation shall not be debated and leave may be withdrawn by the Speaker at any time.

1. A motion may be moved without notice, amendment or debate for the business to be interrupted at a specified time (but not so as to interrupt a Member speaking) to permit a Member to make an inaugural speech or a valedictory speech without a question being before the House. Any interrupted business shall be resumed on the completion of the speech.

2. The time limit for inaugural speeches or valedictory speeches will be 20 minutes.

A Member may only speak once to a question, except:

1. The Member in charge of the Order of the Day when the order is read.

2. In explanation.

3. In reply.

4. During consideration in detail of any matter.

A Member, having concluded a speech, may be briefly heard again to explain a material part of their speech which has been misquoted or misunderstood but cannot:

1. Interrupt another Member who is speaking.

2. Introduce any new matter.

3. Debate the matter.

4. Be heard after the determination of the question before the Chair.

A Member may speak in reply if the Member has moved:

1. a substantive motion or

2. a motion “That this bill be now read a second time” or

3. a motion “That this bill be now read a third time”.

The subject matter of a reply is confined to matters raised during the debate.

The reply of the mover of the original motion closes the debate.

A Member may not speak to a question after the Speaker has put the question.

A Member may only refer to or quote from a debate or proceeding of the current session in either House or newspaper report of such debate or proceeding if the reference or quotation is brief and:

1. Relevant to the matter under discussion or

2. The subject of a personal explanation.

A Member shall not reflect on a previous decision of the House unless debating the rescission of such a vote.

A Member shall not use offensive words against:

1. The Sovereign or the Governor.

2. Either House or its Members.

3. A member of the judiciary.

4. A statute, unless moving for its repeal.

Imputations of improper motives and personal reflections on Members of either House are disorderly other than by substantive motion.

The Speaker may intervene:

1. When offensive or disorderly words are used by a Member.

2. To prevent a quarrel between Members arising out of debates or proceedings in the House.

A Member shall refer to other Members by their title of office or by the name of their electorate.

A Member speaking shall be relevant to the subject matter of the debate.

A Member shall not anticipate discussion of any matter which is on the Business Paper. In determining whether discussion anticipates debate the Speaker shall have regard to the probability of the matter being debated by the House within a reasonable period and the most effective means for it to be raised.

A Member may require the question to be stated by the Speaker during the debate without interrupting the Member speaking.

A Member may only interrupt another Member to:

1. Raise a matter of privilege or contempt suddenly arising.

2. Call attention to a point of order.

3. Call attention to the want of a quorum.

4. Call attention to the presence of visitors.

5. Move a closure motion.

6. Move “That the Member for …. be now heard.”

7. Move “That the Member for …. be not further heard.”

The following matters are not open to debate nor amendment:

1. Adjournment of debate.

2. Adjournment of the House.

3. Extension of time.

4. Leave of the House.

5. Motion that a Member be suspended.

6. Motion that a Message be sent to the Legislative Council.

7. Motion that leave of absence be granted.

8. To withdraw or postpone an order of the day.

9. Personal explanation.

10. “That inspection of the paper be restricted to members only and that no copies or extracts thereof be permitted”.

11. “That visitors be ordered to withdraw”.

12. “That the bill be considered an urgent bill”.

13. "That this bill be read at a later time".

14. “That the Order of the Day be discharged and the bill be withdrawn”.

15. “That the Committee report be printed”.

16. “That the Member for … be further heard”.

17. “That the Member for … be not further heard”.

18. “That the Member for … be now heard.”

19. “That the petition not be received”.

20. “That the question be put as separate questions”.

21. “That the question be now put”.

22. “That the question be not now put”.

23. “That the Member’s speaking time be extended”.

24. Motion to permit a Member to make an inaugural or valedictory speech.

The Speaker shall not receive a second time in a sitting, any question which is not open to debate or amendment if, in the Speaker’s opinion, it would amount to an abuse of the orders or forms of the House, or is moved for the purpose of obstructing business.

A motion for the adjournment of a debate may only be moved by a Member who has not spoken to the question.

The resumption of the debate may be set down for a later hour of the same day, tomorrow or a future day by the Speaker, on request of the Member in charge of the matter. In the absence of the Member in charge of the matter, the Speaker shall set down the resumption of the debate as an order of the day for a later time.

A Member whose motion for the adjournment of a debate is negatived cannot speak later in that debate.

The following maximum time limits shall apply for debates and speeches:

Address in Reply (SO 5)

Premier - unspecified

Leader of the Opposition - unspecified

Mover - 15 minutes†

Any other Member - 15 minutes†

Reply - 15 minutes†

Bills (SO 188-239)

Second Reading:

(i) Introduced by a Minister

Mover - unspecified

Leader of the Opposition or

one Member deputed,

next speaking - unspecified

Any other Member - 10 minutes†

Reply - unspecified

(ii) Appropriation Bill

Mover - unspecified

Party Leaders - unspecified

Any other Member - 15 minutes†

Reply - unspecified

(iii) Introduced by a Private Member

Mover - unspecified

Premier or one Minister

deputed - unspecified

Leader of the Opposition

or one Member deputed - unspecified

Any other Member - 10 minutes†

Reply - unspecified

Consideration in detail of bill or other matter (SO 240-242)

Minister - unspecified number of periods limited to 15

minutes each

Leader of the Opposition or

one Member deputed - unspecified number of periods limited to 15

minutes each

Any other Member - three periods each on any one question not

exceeding 5 minutes each.

Bill be now read a third time after consideration in detail (SO 217)

All Members - 10 minutes†

Committees, reports from – take note debate (SO 306)

Chair or Member tabling

the Report - 6 minutes

Any other Member - 4 minutes

(Question being put after 22 minutes)

Community Recognition Statements (SO 108A)

Member making statement - 1 minute each.

Days and times of meeting (SO 34)

Mover - 5 minutes

Three other Members - 5 minutes

Reply - 5 minutes

Public Interest Debate (SO 109)

Mover - 7 minutes

Six other Members - 5 minutes

Reply - 3 minutes

Debates not otherwise provided for

All Members - 20 minutes*

Expulsion of a Member (SO 254)

Mover - 30 minutes*

Member next speaking - 30 minutes*

Any other Member - 20 minutes*

Member in response - 20 minutes*

Reply - 20 minutes*

General Business notices of motions or orders of the day (not for bills) (SO 107)

In each debate:

Mover - 7 minutes

Member next speaking - 7 minutes

Four Members - 4 minutes each

Reply - 4 minutes

Inaugural Speech or Valedictory Speech (SO 63)

Member making inaugural speech

or valedictory speech - 20 minutes

No confidence in the Government (SO 111)

Mover - unspecified

Party Leader - unspecified

Any other Member - 30 minutes

Premier in response - 45 minutes

Reply - 45 minutes

No confidence in a Minister (SO 112)

Mover - unspecified

Minister named - unspecified

Any other Member - 20 minutes

Response by Minister - 30 Minutes

Reply - 30 minutes

No confidence in Speaker (SO 113)

Mover - unspecified

Member leading debate in

opposition to the motion - unspecified

Any other Member - 20 minutes

Response by Member

leading debate in opposition

to the motion - 30 minutes

Mover in reply - 30 minutes

Censure of Member (SO 114)

Mover - 15 minutes

Member named - 15 minutes

Four other Members - 5 minutes

Response by Member - 10 minutes

Mover in reply - 10 minutes

Censure of Speaker (SO 115)

Mover - 15 minutes

Member leading debate in

opposition to the motion - 15 minutes

Four other Members - 5 minutes

Response by Member

leading debate in opposition

to the motion - 10 minutes

Mover in reply - 10 minutes

Papers, printing of (SO 266)

All Members, including reply - 3 minutes

(The Speaker may call the Minister in reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Petitions signed by 10,000 or more persons (SO 125A)

First Speaker - 5 minutes

Four other Members - 5 minutes each

Response by Minister - 3 minutes

First speaker in reply - 2 minutes

Total - 30 minutes

Private Members’ Statements (SO 108)

Member making statement - 5 minutes

Replies by Ministers - 1 minute

Privilege/Contempt (suddenly arising in House) (SO 91)

The Member may speak for 10 minutes to establish a prima facie case

Proceedings after consideration in detail

All Members - 20 minutes*

Re-ordering General Business (SO 106)

Member in charge of the bill - 3 minutes

One other Member - 3 minutes

Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Assistant Speaker, election of (SO 10, 13 and 14)

All Members - 10 minutes

Speaker’s ruling, dissent (SO 95)

All Members, including reply - 10 minutes

(The Speaker may call on Member to reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Statutory Rules, disallowance (SO 116)

All Members, including reply - 10 minutes

(The Speaker may call on Member to reply if debate exceeds 30 minutes)

Suspension of Standing Orders (SO 365)

Mover - 5 minutes

One other Member - 5 minutes

Reply - 5 minutes

* A Member may request and the Speaker shall put, without debate or amendment, a question that the Member be allowed to continue that speech for a further period of up to 10 minutes.

† A member may request and the Speaker shall put, without debate or amendment, a question that the Member be allowed to continue that speech for a further period of up to 5 minutes.

A motion may be made by any Member, “That the question be now put”. Such motion:

1. May be moved whilst another Member is addressing the House;

2. Shall be put forthwith and decided without amendment or debate;

3. Must be carried by at least 30 Members in the affirmative; and

4. May not be moved before 10.30 a.m. on any day when the House meets at an earlier time.

Whenever the closure is carried on a motion, the mover of the original motion, if entitled to a reply, shall be permitted to speak for up to 30 minutes or a lesser time if specified.

The carrying of the closure only affects the last question proposed to the House.

When the House has carried the question “That the question be now put” and any reply has been made, the Speaker shall then put any questions that are consequential on the carriage of the closure motion.

The Premier, or a Minister acting on the Premier’s behalf, may at any time state in the House the intention of the Government to deal with any business to a certain stage at a specified time at the next or a subsequent sitting.

Written notification must subsequently be given to the Speaker and the Party Leaders and the notice shall be published in the Business Paper.

To give effect to the notification a Member shall move at the specified time on the date given or at a later time at the same sitting the motion “That the question be now put”.

The carrying of this question is an instruction to the Speaker to put to the vote every question necessary to give effect to the notification. No further debate, amendment or reply is permitted.

After the carrying of the closure, the Speaker shall put to the vote any amendments proposed by a Minister provided that the amendments were lodged with the Clerk and printed and circulated by the Clerk at least 2 hours before the specified time.

The closure may not be moved on any question contained in a notification of allocation of time under this Standing Order.

If the closure under this Standing Order is agreed to during the second reading stage and there have been no Minister’s amendments circulated, the Speaker shall forthwith put to the vote the third reading of the Bill.

1. A Member may rise on a matter of contempt or a breach of privilege suddenly arising relating to the proceedings then before the House. In order to move a substantive motion immediately or to request the Speaker to have a notice placed on the Business Paper with precedence, the Member must satisfy the Speaker that:

   1. the matter is one suddenly arising, relating to a matter then before the House which should be dealt with at the earliest opportunity;

   2. there is a prima facie case; and

   3. the Member has prepared a notice of motion.

2. When a matter of contempt or a breach of privilege suddenly arising relating to the proceedings then before the House is raised, the business before the House is suspended until the Speaker:

   1. determines that there is no matter of contempt or breach of privilege; or

   2. defers the matter and either continues or adjourns the business under consideration; or

   3. determines that a prima facie case exists and allows a notice of motion to be moved forthwith or to have precedence for the next sitting; or

   4. takes some other form of action.

3. The maximum time available to a Member to satisfy the Speaker in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Standing Order is 10 minutes. The Speaker may determine the matter prior to the expiration of the 10 minutes.

4. If the Speaker determines that a prima facie case exists the Member must move a motion seeking either:

   1. the declaration of the House that a contempt or breach of privilege has occurred; or

   2. the referral of the matter by the House to the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics for consideration.

Except as provided in Standing Order 91 and in paragraph (5) of this Standing Order, a matter of privilege or contempt shall be brought before the House as follows:

1. A Member desiring to raise a matter of privilege or contempt must inform the Speaker of the details in writing.

2. The Speaker must consider the matter within 14 days and decide whether a motion to refer the matter to the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics (the Committee) is to take precedence under the Standing Orders. The Speaker must notify this decision in writing to the Member.

3. While a matter is being considered by the Speaker, a Member must not take any action or refer to the matter in the House.

4. If the Speaker decides that a motion for referral should take precedence, the Member may, at any time when there is no business before the House, give notice of a motion to refer the matter to the Committee. The notice must take precedence under Standing Order 118 on the next sitting day.

5. If the Speaker decides that the matter should not be the subject of a notice of referral, a Member is not prevented from giving a notice of motion in relation to the matter. Such notice shall not have precedence.

6. If notice of a motion is given under paragraph (4), but the House is not expected to meet on the day following the giving of the notice, with the leave of the House, the motion may be moved at a later hour of the sitting at which the notice is given.

A Member may, at any time, raise a point of order relating to a breach of the Standing Orders or the practice of the House which shall, until disposed of, suspend the consideration and decision of every other question.

When a Member rises on a point of order:

1. The Member who was speaking shall be seated.

2. The question only of order shall be stated to the Speaker.

3. The Speaker shall give a decision or hear further argument.

The procedure for dissenting from a ruling or decision of the Chair is as follows:

1. The Member must give notice of a motion at the time for notices with precedence stating the grounds of the dissent.

2. The notice shall be given and set down to be considered within three clear sitting days after the day on which the ruling was given.

3. The motion shall take precedence of all other business on the day appointed.

4. The Speaker shall be entitled to put the question where the debate exceeds 30 minutes, and to call on the mover in reply.

5. The notice lapses if not moved or postponed on the appointed day.

6. Any Member and the mover in reply shall each be entitled to speak for up to 10 minutes.

When the leave of the House is required it must be granted without dissent. A request for leave shall not be debated.

The House shall conduct its business in the following routine:

Tuesdays

1. At 12.00 noon the Speaker takes the Chair

2. Ministerial Statements

3. Giving of Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118)

4. Question Time

5. Ministerial Statements

6. Papers

7. Committees – Tabling of reports and announcements

8. Petitions

9. Placing or Disposal of Business

10. Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118, if any

11. Giving of General Business Notices of Motion (General Notices), up to 15 minutes, then Speaker to leave the Chair

12. At 2.30 p.m., the Speaker resumes the Chair

13. Government Business

14. At 5.00 p.m., Public Interest Debate

15. Government Business (if required)

16. Community Recognition Statements

17. Private Members' Statements, after which the House shall adjourn without motion until the next sitting day.

Wednesdays

1. At 10.00 a.m. the Speaker takes the Chair

2. Giving of General Business Notices of Motion (General Notices), up to 15 minutes

3. Government Business until 10.50 a.m., with the Speaker to then leave the Chair and the bells rung for 20 seconds. At 11.00 a.m., the Speaker to resume the Chair.

4. Ministerial Statements

5. Giving of Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118)

6. Question Time

7. Ministerial Statements

8. Papers

9. Committees – Tabling of reports and announcements

10. Petitions

11. Placing or Disposal of Business

12. Re-ordering of General Business Orders of the Day (for Bills)

13. Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118, if any

14. Government Business

15. At 1.00 p.m., Committee Reports – Take note debates, for up to 30 minutes, then the Speaker leaves the Chair

16. At 2.30 p.m., the Speaker resumes the Chair

17. Government Business

18. At 5.00 p.m., Public Interest Debate

19. Government Business (if required)

20. Community Recognition Statements

21. Private Members' Statements, after which the House shall adjourn without motion until the next sitting day.

Thursdays

1. At 10.00 a.m. the Speaker takes the Chair

2. Giving of General Business Notices of Motion (General Notices), up to 15 minutes

3. General Business Notices of Motions for Bills for up to 20 minutes

4. General Business Orders of the Day for Bills for up to 90 minutes

5. At 10.50 a.m., Speaker to leave the Chair and the bells rung for 20 seconds. At 11.00 a.m., the Speaker to resume the Chair.

6. Ministerial Statements

7. Giving of Notices of Motions (Government Business, Bills, Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118)

8. Question Time

9. Ministerial Statements

10. Papers

11. Committees – Tabling of reports and announcements

12. Petitions

13. Placing or Disposal of Business

14. Business with Precedence under Standing Order 118, if any

15. Resumption of General Business Orders of the Day for Bills, the Speaker leaves the Chair at the conclusion of the 90 minutes

16. At 2.30 p.m., the Speaker resumes the Chair

17. General Business Notices of Motions or Orders of the Day (not being Bills)

18. At 3.40 p.m., Government Business for up to 20 minutes

19. At 4.00 p.m., Petition Debate

20. Community Recognition Statements for 30 minutes

21. Private Members' Statements, after which the House shall adjourn without motion until the next sitting day.

Repealed

Notices of motions shall take precedence of orders of the day, and if called upon must be moved, withdrawn, or postponed in the order in which they appear on the Business Paper or lapse.

The procedure for the placing or disposal of business (with the exception of establishing the program for General Business Days) is:

1. Each sitting day, in accordance with the Routine of Business, the Speaker shall ask if any Member wishes to postpone, withdraw or discharge any notice of motion or order of the day.

2. A Member may, without debate, withdraw or postpone any notice of motion standing in their name on the Business Paper for that day.

3. A Member may, without debate, postpone, or by motion, move to discharge an order of the day standing in their name on the Business Paper for that day.

4. An Order of the Day for a bill may be discharged and the bill withdrawn on one motion.

5. A Member, with the written authority of another Member, may act on behalf of that Member in regard to this Standing Order.

The procedure for establishing the program for General Business Days is as follows:

1. On Wednesdays, Members shall advise the Clerk in writing by 2.00 p.m. which General Business Notices of Motions for Bills, Orders of the Day for Bills, or Notices of Motions (not for Bills) standing in their name on the Business Paper are to be postponed. Party Whips may also advise the Clerk in writing of which items of General Business standing in the name of Members of their party are to be postponed.

2. The first ten notices on the Business Paper, not advised to be postponed by 2.00 p.m. on the day preceding a General Business Day, will be deemed to be proceeding. Any General Business Order of the Day for Bills re-ordered by the House to have precedence in accordance with Standing Orders 97 and 106 will retain such precedence.

3. On any day when General Business is being considered by the House, a Member may, without debate:

   1. withdraw or postpone any notice of motion standing in their name on the Business Paper for that day.

   2. postpone, or on motion, discharge an Order of the Day standing in their name on the Business Paper for that day.

   3. discharge an Order of the Day for a Bill on motion without debate or amendment, “That the Order of the Day be discharged and the Bill withdrawn”.

Ministers may arrange Government Business in any order.

Ministerial Statements may be made at the times indicated in the Routine of Business or at other times by leave of the House.

Ministerial Statements are of unlimited duration and the Leader of the Opposition or any Member deputed may respond for the same period of time.

1. General Business Notices of Motions and Orders of the Day shall retain their relative places on the Business Paper and be considered in the order in which they are given or set down.

2. General Business interrupted by the operation of the Routine of Business shall stand adjourned and be set down as an Order of the Day for tomorrow with precedence of all other notices and orders, except any General Business Order of the Day accorded precedence for that day in accordance with Standing Order 106.

3. General Business Notices of Motions (for bills) and Orders of the Day (for bills) not commenced or completed 6 months from the date given shall lapse.

4. General Business Notices of Motions (not being bills) and Orders of the Day (not being bills) not commenced or completed 3 months from the date given shall lapse.

At the re-ordering of General Business Orders of the Day (for Bills) in the Routine of Business:

1. Any two Private Members may move to re-order an Order of the Day for a bill of which they have carriage, to give precedence to the resumption of the debate over other Orders of the Day listed for the following sitting day.

2. The carrying of one motion in (1) above prevents another Member moving a subsequent motion.

3. On a motion for re-ordering, the Member in charge of the bill shall be permitted to make a statement of up to 3 minutes and one other Member may reply for up to 3 minutes.

1. At the time listed in the Routine of Business, the House will consider General Business Notices of Motions or Orders of the Day (not being Bills).

2. In each debate the following time limits shall apply:

Mover - 7 minutes

Member next speaking - 7 minutes

Four Members - 4 minutes each

Reply - 4 minutes

The procedure for Private Members’ Statements is as follows:

1. In accordance with the Routine of Business, the Speaker shall ask if there are any Private Members’ Statements.

2. Up to 75 Private Members’ Statements may be made over any one sitting week, within the time allocated in the Routine of Business, for up to 5 minutes each and replies by Ministers shall be limited to 1 minute each.

3. Private Members’ Statements may be taken between items of business with the leave of the House for a specified period or a specified number of Members or until certain business is to be conducted as notified by the Minister in charge of the House at that time.

4. A division on any question or quorum call shall not be permitted during Private Members’ Statements.

The procedure for Community Recognition Statements is as follows:

1. Community Recognition Statements must not contain:

   1. Matters of policy;

   2. Requests for the Government or the House, or another body to take some form of action or not; or

   3. Criticisms or negative reflections on any person, including Members, Office Holders, the Government, the Opposition or a third party.

      
      

   Written Statements

2. Each Member can make three written Community Recognition Statements each sitting day.

3. Statements must be lodged electronically with the Table Office by 12.00 noon on a sitting day for publication in Hansard that day.

4. Written statements must not exceed 200 words.

5. A statement not conforming with the rules or with the practice of the House can:

   1. Under the authority of the Speaker, be amended by the Clerk.

   2. Be ordered by the Speaker not to be included in Hansard.

      
      

   Statements given in the House

6. In accordance with the Routine of Business, the Speaker will ask if there are any

   Community Recognition Statements.

7. Members may not give consecutive Community Recognition Statements.

8. Members may make Community Recognition Statements for up to 1 minute each, for a total of 30 minutes.

9. Community Recognition Statements may be taken between items of business with the leave of the House for a specified period or a specified number of Members or until certain business is to be conducted as notified by the Minister in charge of the House at that time.

The procedure for the consideration of Public Interest Debates shall be as follows:

1. The notice of motion for debate must be submitted to the Speaker by 12.00 noon on the day of the debate.

2. The motion will be submitted by:

   1. Government – sitting day Tuesdays

   2. Opposition – first and second sitting day Wednesdays

   3. Cross bench – third sitting day Wednesdays

3. The Speaker will determine whether the notice is in order.

4. The Speaker will publish and announce the subject matter of the notice of motion in the House after the lunch break.

5. The following time limits shall apply to the debate: Mover - 7 minutes

   Six other Members - 5 minutes each

   Reply - 3 minutes

   Total - 40 minutes

6. At least one Member speaking in the debate must be from the cross bench.