House debates

Monday, 15 September 2008

Questions to the Speaker

Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders

3:32 pm

Photo of Joe HockeyJoe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Would you please confirm that, when a motion to suspend standing orders is moved in this place, the motion does not have to be submitted in writing until it is put to a vote by the Speaker? Therefore, in a situation where there is a suspension of standing orders, there is 25 minutes to lodge a written motion.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Whilst it is not my intention to have a practice of taking questions on procedures, the correct procedure in this matter—as I understand it—is that the time that the member has put a proposal to the chamber and read it fully is the time that it would be presented in written form. That is all I am saying.

Photo of Joe HockeyJoe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, can I ask one more question?

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

Not really, but go ahead.

Photo of Joe HockeyJoe Hockey (North Sydney, Liberal Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the House) Share this | | Hansard source

It is relevant, particularly to interested parties who might be watching this. When the Prime Minister takes a point of order, it is eating into the time of the Leader of the Opposition and therefore the Leader of the Opposition has the right to put the motion again.

Photo of Harry JenkinsHarry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I am not going to pursue a debate of recent events through questions. The fact is that, when any member is given the call in a situation like that of recent events, the clock starts from the time that they get the call. That is all I am saying.