The House Standing Committee on Procedure has tabled its report reviewing parliamentary practice and procedure to implement recommendations 10 and 27 of Set the Standard.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 August 2023

The House Standing Committee on Procedure has tabled its report reviewing parliamentary practice and procedure to implement recommendations 10 and 27 of Set the Standard. These recommendations, by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins, related to eliminating sexist, exclusionary or discriminatory language, behaviour and practices in the Chamber and improving safety and respect, as well as looking at the sitting calendar and order of business. “Set the Standard built a case for change across Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. The recommendations in our report aim to create change in the Chamber itself—by strengthening the Speaker’s powers, clarifying expectations and improving Members’ understanding—and to raise the standard in the House,” said Committee Chair Hon Shayne Neumann MP. “This includes recommending amendments to the standing orders to make it clearer that Members must not use discriminatory language against each other.” Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP said, “The report proposes practical and sensible changes to the standing orders.” “To expand the Speaker’s toolkit for managing misbehaviour in the Chamber, the Committee has recommended amendments to standing order 94(a). In addition to the current one-hour withdrawal period, the ability to exclude a Member for three hours would provide the Speaker with more options to address disorderly conduct swiftly and proportionally,” Mr Vasta elaborated. “While the Committee has not recommended changes to sitting hours, the Committee will maintain a watching brief on the hours and days of sitting to monitor the careful balance between making the most of Members’ time in Canberra and maintaining wellbeing and safety,” Mr Neumann noted. The Committee made a number of other recommendations, including that training and guidance material for Members be reviewed to ensure Members are aware of their obligations and how they can draw potentially disorderly conduct to the Speaker’s attention. The Committee having made its recommendations, it is now a matter for the House of Representatives whether it wishes to consider making any changes to the Standing Orders. The report and further information about the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Hon Shayne Neumann MP (Chair) shayne.neumann.mp@aph.gov.au 07 3201 5300 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House Standing Committee on Procedure launches new inquiry reviewing parliamentary practice and procedure to implement recommendations from 'Set the standard report' by Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 6 October 2022

The House Standing Committee on Procedure has launched a new inquiry reviewing parliamentary practice and procedure to implement recommendations 10 and 27 of the Set the standard report by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. These recommendations related to eliminating sexist, exclusionary or discriminatory language, behaviour and practices in the Chamber and improving safety and respect, as well as looking at the sitting calendar and order of business. ‘The Jenkins review recommended that the House consider whether there were opportunities to improve both the standing orders and any unwritten conventions in the Chamber,’ the Chair of the committee, Hon Shayne Neumann, said. ‘The committee is interested in feedback and is now welcoming submissions to the inquiry.’ However, matters such as codes of conduct and behaviour outside the Chamber are covered by other recommendations and will not be considered as part of this inquiry. ‘The focus of our inquiry is on the standing orders and practices and procedures in the Chamber—we are not looking at the development of codes of conduct, for example,’ Mr Neumann said. ‘A joint select committee has been established to consider codes of conduct.’ To read the full terms of reference or make a submission, please visit the inquiry page. Media enquiries Hon Shayne Neumann MP shayne.neumann.mp@aph.gov.au 07 3201 5300 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Procedure. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.