Parliamentary Procedures, Rules And Occasions

The Parliament operates under a set of procedures that are deeply rooted in British parliamentary history.

Parliamentary procedure is often a mystery to the casual observer. Many arcane rituals and processes are followed every day. Curiously-named people officiate. The rules seem to be constantly under challenge from members.

From the ceremonial opening of the Parliament by the Governor-General, to the proclamation that dissolves each Parliament, there is a vast array of sometimes arcane procedures and occasions.

The procedures and processes of the Parliament are principally set down in the Standing Orders of each house.

House Procedures

2015 – House of Representatives Standing Orders
House of Representatives Practice (6th edition) – the definitive guide to the procedures and rules of the House.
Address In Reply
Unparliamentary Language – why members can accuse each other of “telling untruths”, but not of being “liars”.
Seated and Covered – one of the most arcane rules of the parliament.
Statements by Members – 90-second statements
Presentation of Petitions
Personal Explanations
Condolences – condolences for Janine Haines (2004)

Senate Procedures

2015 – Standing Orders and other orders of the Senate

Sitting Days

Opening Parliament

One of the main ceremonial duties of the Governor-General is to open the proceedings of the Commonwealth Parliament following each election. The Governor-General summons members of the House of Representatives to the Senate chamber and delivers a speech prepared by the government.

Archived Items

June 21, 2019: Election Officially Over As Writs Returned By AEC
June 19, 2019: Governor-General Summons 46th Parliament For July 2 Meeting
August 30, 2016: Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove’s Speech Opening The 45th Parliament
August 30, 2016: 45th Parliament Opens; Members And Senators Sworn In; House Speaker And Senate President Re-Elected Unopposed
April 15, 2016: Parliament Prorogued; New Session Starts On Monday
July 7, 2014: Senators Sworn In; New Balance Of Power As 2013 Federal Election Finally Complete
November 12, 2013: Governor-General Quentin Bryce Opens 44th Parliament
May 8, 2013: Queen’s Speech At State Opening Of U.K. Parliament
November 16, 2004: Governor-General’s Address Opening The 41st Parliament
February 12, 2002: Governor-General’s Speech Opening The 40th Parliament
May 9, 2001: Centenary Of Federation To Be Celebrated In Melbourne
May 8, 1990: Governor-General Bill Hayden Opens The 36th Parliament
September 14, 1987: Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1987
February 21, 1985: Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen Opens The 34th Parliament
April 21, 1983: Governor-General’s Speech Opening Parliament: 1983
February 17, 1976: Sir John Kerr Opens The 30th Parliament
February 27, 1973: Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck Opens The 28th Parliament

FactSheets

This is a set of factsheets issued by the Australian Parliament in 1996.

Archived News Items

September 2, 2016: How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House
March 21, 2016: Turnbull Recalls Parliament On April 18 And Moves Budget To May 3; Threatens Double Dissolution On July 2 If Bills Not Passed
March 18, 2016: Senate Adjournment Motion Amended To Prevent Early Recall
November 11, 2015: Standing Orders And Other Orders Of The Senate
March 26, 2015: Standing Orders – House of Representatives
October 2, 2014: Senate President Announces Decision On Covered Visitors To Parliament House
June 11, 2014: Geoff Shaw Suspended By Victorian Parliament; Ken Smith Votes With Government To Defeat ALP Expulsion Move
June 10, 2014: Denis Napthine Moves To Suspend Geoff Shaw Until September 2
May 23, 2014: Busting The Budget: Greens MP Condones Blocking Of Appropriation Bills By Senate
December 2, 2013: Speaker Bronwyn Bishop Reports Kevin Rudd’s Resignation To The House
May 13, 2013: A Scenario For Tony Abbott And A Motion Of No-Confidence
July 19, 2010: Dissolutions, Prorogations and a Mea Culpa
February 9, 2009: Black Saturday Bushfires: Moving Speeches In Parliament For Victims
February 13, 2008: Rudd Government Faces First Question Time
December 16, 2005: John Howard’s Senate Abuses – The Story Since July 1st
November 2, 2005: Greens Condemn Secrecy, Abuse Of Parliament
November 29, 2004: Address-In-Reply Speech: Mark Latham, Leader of the Opposition
November 29, 2004: Personal Explanations – House of Representatives
November 29, 2004: Presentation Of Petitions – House Of Representatives
November 29, 2004: Statements By Members – House Of Representatives
May 1, 2003: Democrats Support Breast-Feeding In Senate
March 15, 2002: Parliamentary Procedures: Unparliamentary Language
February 1, 2002: Parliamentary Procedure: Seated And Covered