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Historic Parliamentary Sitting As Members Given Remote Access Because Of COVID-19

Aug 24, 2020

A historic meeting of the Australian Parliament began today, with members of both houses now able to participate remotely in proceedings, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The House of Representatives met at 10.00am and formalised the arrangements.

Members are able to participate from their electorate offices via the parliament’s video system. They cannot vote remotely.

The government and opposition agreed on the format of remote access in recent weeks. Negotiations were handled by the Leader of the House, Christian Porter, and the Manager of Opposition Business, Tony Burke.

Statements from House Speaker, Tony Smith, and the Senate President, Scott Ryan, appear below.

Watch the opening proceedings in the House of Representatives (24m):
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Coronavirus, House of Reps, Parliamentary Reform, Video Tagged With: , , ,

Retirement of David Elder, Clerk of the House

Aug 01, 2019

These are remarks to the House of Representatives on the retirement of the Clerk of the House, David Elder.

Elder

On the Clerk’s final day at the table, remarks in tribute were made by Speaker Tony Smith, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Government Leader of the House Christian Porter, and Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke.

Listen to the tributes (19m):

Watch the tributes (19m):

Hansard transcript of remarks to the House of Representatives on the retirement of the Clerk, David Elder.

The SPEAKER (15:14): Very soon I will call the Prime Minister to move a motion to record the House’s appreciation for the service of its Clerk, David Elder. As I mentioned a few sitting days back, everyone is aware of David’s retirement, but today is his last day here at the table. We, of course, all want to recognise that incredible service. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, House of Reps, Morrison, Parliamentary People, Valedictory Speeches, Video Tagged With: , , , , ,

How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House

Sep 02, 2016

The absence of nine members of the Coalition caused the Turnbull government to lose control of the House of Representatives for nearly two hours last night.

House

When a procedural motion to adjourn the House was put at 5.00pm, the ALP surprisingly voted No and called for a division, which it won by 69 votes to 67. The ALP then took control of the proceedings of the House and initiated a debate on a Senate resolution calling for a royal commission into the banking system.

Over the next 45 minutes, the government lost two more divisions and did not regain control of the House until 6.50pm, after coalition MPs were brought back into the chamber.

It was the first time since 1962 that a majority government has lost votes in the House of Representatives. Like the Turnbull government, the then Menzies government also governed with a one-seat majority. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Backbenchers, House of Reps, Liberal Party, Ministers, Parliamentary Procedures, The Nationals, Turnbull, Video Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Christian Porter (Lib – Pearce) – First Speech

Dec 09, 2013

Christian Porter was first elected to the House of Representatives as the Liberal member for Pearce at the 2013 federal election.

Porter

Pearce is a safe Liberal electorate in Western Australia. It is located in the eastern region of outer metropolitan Perth and surrounding rural areas. It includes the coastal area from Quinns Rock to Lancelin. It covers the country centres of Gingin, Bindoon and Toodyay in the north, Northam and Grass Valley in the east, and York and Beverley to the south, plus the eastern portion of the Darling Ranges and the Swan Valley. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Liberal Party, Maiden Speeches Tagged With: , , ,
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