Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

This would be a good point—last evening, with respect to these motions, I said I wasn't making a ruling but that I'd reflect on the same-motion rule. Obviously that has some components—motions can't be identical in wording. That's the most basic thing, and these motions certainly haven't been, but what the standing orders make clear, and specifically standing order 114(b), is:

… the Speaker may disallow any motion or amendment which he or she considers is the same in substance…

That is, it's the same question that the House is being asked to determine. I pointed out yesterday that the Practice referred to a number of examples. Not many, I have to say, which is why I wanted to reflect on it and have a look at them. They are 1947, 1954 and I think 2009, and that's about it. So, I'm not going to take you back to 1947, I promise you.

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