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About Parliament
House of Representatives
Powers, practice and procedure
House of Representatives Practice (7th edition)
House of Representatives Practice
In this section
House of Representatives Practice
Preface
Reference
Chapter 1 | The Parliament and the role of the House
Chapter 2 | House, Government and Opposition
Chapter 3 | Elections and the electoral system
Chapter 4 | Parliament House and access to proceedings
Chapter 5 | Members
Chapter 6 | The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and officers
Chapter 7 | The parliamentary calendar
Chapter 8 | Order of business and the sitting day
Chapter 9 | Motions
Chapter 10 | Legislation
Chapter 11 | Financial legislation
Chapter 12 | Senate amendments and requests
Chapter 13 | Double dissolutions and joint sittings
Chapter 14 | Control and conduct of debate
Chapter 15 | Questions
Chapter 16 | Non-government business
Chapter 17 | Documents
Chapter 18 | Parliamentary committees
Chapter 19 | Committee inquiries
Chapter 20 | Parliamentary privilege
Chapter 21 | The Federation Chamber
Appendices
Attachments
House of Representatives Practice
Seventh edition
CHAPTER 1—The Parliament and the role of the House
Composition
The Queen
Governor-General
Powers and Functions of the Governor-General
Powers and jurisdiction of the Houses
The courts and Parliament
Constitution alteration
Aspects of the role of the House of Representatives
Independence of the Houses
Functions of the House
CHAPTER 2—House, Government and Opposition
Government and Parliament
Political parties
The Ministry
Cabinet
Federal Executive Council
The (official) Opposition
CHAPTER 3—Elections and the electoral system
The first election
The Commonwealth Electoral Act
Electors
Number of Members
Electoral divisions
General elections
By-elections
Senate elections
Method of voting
The election process
Public funding and financial disclosure
Disputed elections and returns
CHAPTER 4—Parliament House and access to proceedings
The Parliament buildings
The Chamber
Access to proceedings
Parliamentary precincts and the exercise of authority
CHAPTER 5—Members
The Member's role
The Member and the House in the democratic process
Qualifications and disqualifications
Swearing-in
New Members
First speech
Valedictory speech
Pecuniary interest
Members’ remuneration and expenses
Attendance
Vacancy
Member's titles
Dress and conduct in the Chamber
Service on non-parliamentary organisations
CHAPTER 6—The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and officers
The Office of Speaker
Election of Speaker
Powers, functions and duties
Absence of Speaker and vacancy in office
The Speaker’s vote
Sources of procedural authority
Speaker’s rulings
Criticism of Speaker’s actions and conduct
Deputy Speaker
Second Deputy Speaker
Speaker’s panel
Staff of the House and administration
CHAPTER 7—The parliamentary calendar
Terminology
A Parliament
A Session
The Address in Reply
Sitting and non-sitting periods
CHAPTER 8—Order of business and the sitting day
Sittings
Meeting of the House
Acknowledgement of country and Prayers
Order of business
New business rule
Adjournment
Quorum
Divisions
Balloting
CHAPTER 9—Motions
Definition of a motion
Notice
Form and content of motions
Progress of motions in House
Amendments to motions
Motions agreed to—resolutions and orders of the House
Motions of no confidence and censure
Addresses
Motions of condolence
Motions of thanks
Motion of apology
Motion to discuss matter of special interest
Motions relating to the Standing Orders
CHAPTER 10—Legislation
Constitutional provisions
Bills—the parliamentary process
Procedural variations for different categories of bills
Procedures to speed the passage of bills
Division of a bill
Lapsed bills
Administrative arrangements
Presentation of bills for assent
Acts
Delegated legislation
CHAPTER 11—Financial legislation
Constitutional provisions
Former financial procedures
Bills containing special appropriations
Appropriation and supply bills
Taxation bills
CHAPTER 12—Senate amendments and requests
Procedure following Senate consideration
Senate bills amended by House
Conferences
CHAPTER 13—Double dissolutions and joint sittings
Section 57 of the Constitution
Double dissolutions
Joint sitting
CHAPTER 14—Control and conduct of debate
Manner and right of speech
Rules governing content of speeches
Interruptions to Members speaking
Curtailment of speeches and debate
Powers of Chair to enforce order
CHAPTER 15—Questions
Question Time
Rules governing questions
Questions in writing
Answers
CHAPTER 16—Non-government business
Private Members’ Mondays
Committee and delegation business
Private Members’ business
Grievance debate
Members’ 90 second statements
Constituency statements
Adjournment debate
Matters of public importance
CHAPTER 17—Documents
Documents presented to the House
Orders and resolutions in relation to documents
Distribution and printing of documents
House documents—agenda and record
Parliamentary privilege relating to documents
Public interest immunity
Petitions
CHAPTER 18—Parliamentary committees
Authority for the appointment of committees
Types of committees and terminology
House standing committees
House select committees
Conferral with committees of the Senate
Joint committees
Appointment and duration
Membership
Chair
Powers of committees
Subcommittees
Meeting procedures
Committee administration—staff and advisers
CHAPTER 19—Committee inquiries
Referral of matters for inquiry
Documentary evidence
Oral evidence
Witnesses
Publication of evidence
Reports
CHAPTER 20—Parliamentary privilege
Privilege defined
The Commonwealth Parliament’s privilege powers
The privilege of freedom of speech
Other privileges
Acts constituting breaches of privilege and contempts
Penal jurisdiction of the House
Punishment of Members
Manner of dealing with privilege and contempt
Citizen’s right of reply
Limitations and safeguards in the use of privilege
CHAPTER 21—The Federation Chamber
APPENDICES
In this section
House of Representatives Practice
Preface
Reference
Chapter 1 | The Parliament and the role of the House
Chapter 2 | House, Government and Opposition
Chapter 3 | Elections and the electoral system
Chapter 4 | Parliament House and access to proceedings
Chapter 5 | Members
Chapter 6 | The Speaker, Deputy Speakers and officers
Chapter 7 | The parliamentary calendar
Chapter 8 | Order of business and the sitting day
Chapter 9 | Motions
Chapter 10 | Legislation
Chapter 11 | Financial legislation
Chapter 12 | Senate amendments and requests
Chapter 13 | Double dissolutions and joint sittings
Chapter 14 | Control and conduct of debate
Chapter 15 | Questions
Chapter 16 | Non-government business
Chapter 17 | Documents
Chapter 18 | Parliamentary committees
Chapter 19 | Committee inquiries
Chapter 20 | Parliamentary privilege
Chapter 21 | The Federation Chamber
Appendices
Attachments
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