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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: , , , , ,

Speaker Sets July 28 As Date For Five By-Elections; Opposition Outraged

May 24, 2018

The Speaker, Tony Smith, advised the House of Representatives this afternoon that he had set July 28 as the date for the five by-elections caused by recent resignations relating to dual citizenship.

Smith

Smith told the House that because of new regulations to refine the nomination process and because of imminent schools holidays, July 28 was the “optimal” date for the by-elections in Longman, Braddon, Mayo, Fremantle and Perth.

The ALP opposition accused the Speaker of inordinate delay and said the by-elections coincided with the ALP National Conference in Adelaide.

  • Listen to Speaker’s statement to the House (21m)
  • Watch the House proceedings (21m)

Hansard transcript of House of Representatives proceedings relating to the calling of five by-elections on July 28.

The SPEAKER (15:12): If members could cease interjecting, could I please have the attention of the House on this important matter: I’d like to read a fairly lengthy statement, and then I’ll be tabling some documents. Earlier in the week, I advised the House I would provide an update on possible dates for by-elections in the seats of Braddon, Fremantle, Longman, Mayo and Perth. This update follows further consultation with the Australian Electoral Commissioner and party leaders. Under the Constitution, it is my responsibility alone to issue a writ for a by-election when a vacancy occurs, and generally it has not been the practice to provide an explanation for the exercise of this responsibility. I have varied from the usual practice because of the quite unusual—quite unique—circumstances surrounding these by-elections. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., AEC, Audio, By-Elections, Election Dates, House of Reps, Liberal Party, Parliamentary People, Turnbull, 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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