Time limits on speeches and for the consideration of particular items of business are provided for in a number of standing orders.
The following list consolidates these time limits and indicates the relevant Standing order.
| Debate |
|
| General – 15 mins |
SO 189(1) |
| In committee – 10 mins |
SO 189(3) |
| In reply – 15 mins |
SO 189(2) |
| Bills |
|
| First reading of non-amendable bill – 15 mins |
SO 112(2) |
| Second reading – 15 mins |
SO 189(1) |
| In committee – 10 mins |
SO 189(3) |
| Third reading – 15 mins |
SO 189(1) |
Selection of Bills Committee – adoption of report – 5 mins
(limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 24A(7) |
Reference of a bill to committee – 5 mins
(limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 115(6) |
| Matters of public importance/urgency – 5 mins |
SO 75 |
| (limit for debate 30 mins per proposal – up to 2 proposals each day) |
SO 75(7) |
| Senators' statements |
|
Each day between 1.30 pm and 2 pm – 2 mins
|
SO 57(4) |
Wednesday between 12.15 pm and 1.30 pm – 10 mins
|
SO 57(2) |
| Questions |
|
Without notice: question – 1 min; answer – 2 mins
2 supplementary questions – 30 seconds each; answers – 1 min each |
SO 72(3) |
Motions relating to answers – 5 mins
(limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 72(4) |
| Committee reports and government responses |
|
Motions to take note (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) – 10 mins
(limit for debate: 1 hr on Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday*) |
SO 62(4) |
Resumption, including Auditor-General's reports (Thursday) – 5 mins
(limit for debate*) |
SO 62(1)&(2) |
Motion moved by leave - 10 mins
(limit for debate: 30 mins per motion, 1 hr for all motions) |
SO 169(2) |
| Documents |
|
Motion to take note on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – 5 mins
(limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 61(3) |
| Resumption (Thursday) – 5 mins (limit for debate*) |
SO 61(3) |
Motions moved by leave - 5 mins
(limits for debate 15 mins per motion, 30 mins for all motions) |
SO 169(2) |
| Suspension of standing orders – 5 mins |
|
| (limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 209(4) |
| Adjournment |
|
| Monday – 10 mins |
SO 54(5) |
| Tuesday – 5 mins | 10 mins |
SO 54(5)&(6) |
| Wednesday – 5 mins |
SO 54(5) |
| Thursday – 5 mins | 10 mins |
SO 54(5)&(7) |
| (limits for debate: 40 mins on Monday and Wednesday, no limit on Tuesday,
30 mins on Thursday) |
* 1hr combined debate on Thursday
Note: Time taken to make or determine points of order and form a quorum is not deducted from the time for the senator to speak or ask a question or the total time for a debate except the adjournment debate (SO 52(7), 197(6)).
SENATE NUMBERS
| Quorum |
19 |
| Absolute majority |
39 |