Daryl Melham (Banks, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to the 5th edition of the House of Representatives Practice at page 187, which says:

The Speaker has stated that House of Representatives Practice is the authoritative source of precedent.

I also draw your attention to page 186 of House of Representatives Practice, which talks about traditional practice, and I quote:

A number of practices and conventions are observed in the House which are not imposed either by the Constitution or by the standing orders, but which are traditional parliamentary rules, often also followed in other parliaments operating in the Westminster tradition. An example of such a convention is the sub judice convention. Another is the practice that a charge against a Member should only be made by means of a substantive motion which admits of a distinct vote of the House.

Mr Speaker, that was not brought to your attention on Tuesday. The reason I draw it to your attention and the House’s attention now is the practice that might occur between now and when the Procedure Committee next meets on this matter.

See this speech in context