|
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page
Standing Orders
Chapter 12 - Matters of public importance and urgency
75 Proposal for debate
(1) A senator may:
(a) propose that a matter of
public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion; or
(b) move a motion, without
notice—That in the opinion of the Senate the following is a matter of urgency:
[here to be specified the matter of urgency].
(2) The senator proposing the matter of
public importance or the motion to debate the matter of urgency shall hand to
the President, not later than 12.30 pm on the day to which the proposal
relates, a written statement of the proposed matter of public importance or
urgency.
(3) If the proposal is in order, the
President shall read it to the Senate at the time provided.
(4) In order to proceed the proposal
must be supported by 4 senators, not including the proposer, rising in their
places.
(5) If more than one proposed matter of
public importance or urgency is presented for the same day, priority shall be
given to that which is first handed to the President. If 2 or more proposals
are presented simultaneously, the proposal to be reported shall be determined
by lot. No other proposal shall be read to the Senate that day.
(6) A motion to debate a matter of
urgency may not be amended.
(7) Debate on a matter
of public importance or urgency motion shall not exceed 60 minutes, or, if
no motions are moved after question time to take note of answers, 90 minutes,
and a senator shall not speak to such a matter or motion for more than 10
minutes. At the expiration of the time for a debate the question on a
matter of urgency shall be put.
(8) At any time during the discussion of
a matter of public importance, a motion may be made by any senator, but not so
as to interrupt another senator speaking, that the business of the day be
called on. No amendment, adjournment or debate shall be allowed on such motion,
which shall be put immediately by the President, and if the motion is agreed
to, the business of the day shall be proceeded with immediately.
(amended 13 February
1997)
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page
|
