Chapter 33 - Standing Order No 200 - Proposal for debate
Standing Order No. 200
Proposal for debate
- A member may give notice of a motion – That the following important matter of public importance should be discussed forthwith: [specifying the matter].
- Consideration of the motion is to take precedence of all other business set down on the Notice Paper for that day, except business taking precedence under standing order 74 (3).
- When the motion has been made, the question is to be decided without amendment or debate, except a statement by the mover and a statement by a Minister not exceeding 10 minutes each.
- If the question is agreed to, subsequent discussion of the matter may not exceed one hour thirty minutes, whether on the same or subsequent sitting days, excluding the reply of the mover.
- The following time limits on speeches will apply:
- member proposing the matter – 15 minutes,
- any Minister first speaking – 15 minutes,
- Leader of the Opposition or member nominated by the Leader of the Opposition, when the matter is proposed by a member of the government – 15 minutes;
- any other member – 10 minutes,
- proposer in reply – 10 minutes.
- If discussion of a matter is adjourned to another sitting day, the order of the day for its resumption is to take precedence as provided in paragraph (2).
- Only one matter of public importance may be proceeded with on any sitting day, but this is not to preclude the resumption of an adjourned discussion on the same day.
- Matters of public importance will only be considered on days on which government business has precedence.
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