Standing and sessional orders

Sessional orders: Council

Sessional orders are the temporary rules of the Council. They may vary the standing orders or create new rules. They only apply until the next election.

You can also download a pdf of the Council's sessional orders.

1 Interruption of debate — Messages

In Standing Order 4.07(7) for “will” substitute “may”.

 

2 Order of business

Standing Orders 5.02(2) and (3) are suspended and the following order of business will apply on Wednesday —

Messages

Formal business

Members’ statements (up to 15 members)

General business

At 12.00 noon Questions

General business (until 5.15 pm)

At 5.15 pm Statements on tabled papers and petitions (30 minutes)

Petitions (qualifying for debate) (30 minutes)

Government business (maximum 60 minutes)

At 7.15 pm Adjournment (up to 20 members)

 

3 Time limits

 

(1)   Standing Order 5.03 Time limits — Budget debate is suspended and the following will apply:

Budget debate

Total time   No limit
Main Government lead speaker  30 minutes
Main Opposition lead speaker 30 minutes
Other lead speakers   30 minutes

Remaining speakers 

 

15 minutes

 

(2)   Standing Order 5.03 Time limits — General business (Standing Order 5.07) is suspended and the following will apply:

General business (Standing Order 5.07)

Total time    90 minutes
Mover/Sponsor   20 minutes
Lead speakers  10 minutes
Remaining speakers   10 minutes

Mover/Sponsor, in reply  

 

5 minutes

 

(3)   In Standing Order 5.03 Time limits, insert the following:

Private member bills — second reading debate

Total time      No limit
Mover/Sponsor   30 minutes
Main Government lead speaker    30 minutes
Other lead speakers   30 minutes

Remaining speakers   

 

15 minutes

 

(4)   Standing Order 5.03 Time limits — Government bills — second reading debate is suspended and the following will apply:

Government bills — second reading debate

Total time No limit
Main Government lead speaker   30 minutes
Main Opposition lead speaker    30 minutes
Other lead speakers 30 minutes

Remaining speakers 

 

15 minutes

 

(5)   Standing Order 5.03 Time limits — Government business (Standing Order 5.06) is suspended and the following will apply:

Government business (Standing Order 5.06)

Total time  No limit
Main Government lead speaker     30 minutes
Main Opposition lead speaker  30 minutes
Other lead speakers    30 minutes

Remaining speakers    

 

  15 minutes

 

(6)   Standing Order 5.03 Time limits — Statements on tabled papers and petitions (Standing Order 9.10) is suspended and the following will apply:

Statements on tabled papers and petitions (Standing Order 9.10)

Total time

30 minutes

(a member with the call at the expiration of the total time will be permitted to complete their contribution)

Each member  5 minutes

 

4 Disorderly conduct — Member ordered to withdraw: application during questions without notice

Notwithstanding Standing Order 13.03(2), if —

(1)   a member is ordered to withdraw from the House under Standing Order 13.03(1) during questions without notice; and

(2)   the time for questions without notice concludes before the expiration of the suspension period —

the member may return to the Chamber at the conclusion of question time and must serve the remainder of their suspension during the next occurrence of questions without notice.

 

5 Standing Committees - Membership

Standing Order 23.05(1) is suspended to the extent necessary to allow the following committees to consist of the following number of members:

(1) Economy and Infrastructure Standing Committee will consist of nine members; and

(2) Environment and Planning Standing Committee will consist of nine members.

 

 

The foregoing provisions, so far as they are inconsistent with the Standing Orders or practices of the Council, will have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the Standing Orders or practices of the Council.