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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 where they can be located in this volume (SO – standing order).
1 Debate |
|
General – 20 mins |
SO 189(1) |
| Extension of time – 10 mins | SO 189(1) |
| In committee – 15 mins | SO 189(3) |
| In reply – 20 mins | SO 189(2) |
2 Bills |
|
| First reading of non-amendable bill – 15 mins | SO 112(2) |
| Second reading – 20 mins | SO 189(1) |
| In committee – 15 mins | SO 189(3) |
| Third reading – 20 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) |
| 3 Matters of public importance/urgency – 10 mins | SO 75 |
| (limit for debate 60 mins, or if no motions are moved after question time to take note of answers, 90 mins) |
SO 75(7) |
| 4 Matters of public interest – 15 mins | SO 57(2) |
| 5 Questions | |
| Without notice: question – 1 min.; answer – 4 mins; supplementary questions and answers – 1 min. each |
SO 72(3) |
| Motions relating to answers – 5 mins (limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 72(4) |
| 6 Committee reports and government responses and Auditor–General’s reports |
|
| Motions relating to committee report on Wednesday or Thursday – 10 mins (limit for debate 60 mins) |
SO 62(4) |
| Resumption of debate on motions for consideration or adoption – 10 mins (limit for debate 60 mins) |
SO 62(1) |
| 7 Government documents | |
| Motion to take note, Tuesday and Wednesday – 5 mins (limit for debate 30 mins) |
SO 61(3) |
| Resumption Thursday – 5 mins (limit for debate 60 mins) | SO 61(3) |
| 8 General – documents | |
| Motions moved by leave – 10 mins | |
| (limit for debate 30 mins per motion, 60 mins for all motions) | SO 169(2) |
| 9 Suspension of standing orders – 5 mins | |
| (limit for debate 30 mins) | SO 209(4) |
| 10 Adjournment – 10 mins | |
| (limit for debate 40 mins, except Tuesdays) | SO 54(5) |
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 time for a debate except the adjournment debate (standing orders 52(7), 197(6)).
______________________
| SENATE NUMBERS | |
| Quorum | 19 (one-quarter) |
| Absolute majority | 39 |
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