ATTACHMENT

Standing Order 72 – amendments required to abolish questions to chairs of committees and to other senators

72      Questions without notice

(1)     At the time provided questions may be put to ministers relating to public affairs, and to other senators relating to any matter connected with the business on the Notice Paper of which such senators have charge.

(2)     A question may be put to the chairman of a committee relating to the activities of that committee, provided that:

          (a)     unless leave of the Senate is granted for the question to be asked without notice, it may be asked only on notice;

          (b)     the question shall not attempt to interfere with the committee’s work or anticipate its report; and

          (c)     the chairman shall answer only on behalf of the committee.

(3)      (a)     The asking of each question shall not exceed one minute and the answering of each question shall not exceed 4 minutes.

          (b)     The asking of each supplementary question shall not exceed one minute and the answering of each supplementary question shall not exceed one minute.

(4)      (a)     After question time motions may be moved without notice to take note of answers given that day to questions.

          (b)     A senator may speak for not more than 5 minutes on such a motion.

          (c)     The time for debate on all motions relating to answers to questions without notice on any day shall not exceed 30 minutes.

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