House of Representatives Practice, 6th edition – HTML version

Appendix 23 - Percentage of House time spent on Government and Private Members’ Business —recent Parliaments

Right click over the text to activate a context menu for House of Representatives Practice and Procedures. (Note: on iPad Safari this function is activated by a finger press and holding down for several seconds.)


Year

Government Business

Private Members’ Business

Other opportunities for Private Members

Business of the House

1990

52

6

18

23

1991

57

12

13

18

1992

58

12

14

17

1993

62

8

15

15

1994

62

8

14

16

1995

59

9

13

18

1996

54

8

16

21

1997

58

8

15

19

1998

53

8

18

22

1999

59

8

14

18

2000

57

7

15

21

2001

57

6

15

22

2002

57

7

16

20

2003

60

8

14

19

2004

59

4

18

19

2005

60

9

15

16

2006

53

15

15

17

2007

60

5

16

19

2008

60

4

15

21

2009

65

3

10

22

2010

55

7

18

20

2011

55

11

15

19

Government business includes government sponsored legislation and motions (including motions to suspend standing orders) and ministerial statements.

Private Members’ business includes legislation and motions (including motions to suspend standing orders) sponsored by private Members and statements by Members.

Other opportunities for private Members includes adjournment and grievance debates, discussion of matters of public importance and debates on the Address in Reply (1990, 1993, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2010).

Business of the House includes time spent on petitions, giving notices, question time, presentation of papers (excluding motions to take note), privilege matters, personal explanations, dissent motions, announcements of ministerial arrangements, motions to appoint committees (unless moved by private Members), statements and debate on committee reports, motions for addresses, votes of condolence, leave of absence and special adjournment.

Note: Figures have been rounded. Does not include time spent in the Federation Chamber.