Alex Somlyay (Fairfax, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I refer you to standing order 54, which says, inter alia:

The Speaker shall take the Chair and, if a quorum of 30 Members is present, read prayers. If a quorum is not present standing order 57 (count out) shall apply.

This morning, not enough government members to provide a quorum in this chamber bothered to turn up prior to prayers. Why did you allow the sitting to begin rather than counting out the House as required under standing order 54?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have two options: I can use the indication that I have given to the chamber that matters of procedure are not open to discussion at this point in time—and I am tempted to do that because of the implied inference in the latter part of the question—or I can respond to the question. It is true, as the Chief Opposition Whip has indicated, that standing order 54 is the relevant standing order. On this occasion, on taking the chair, and in the absence of advice as to a quorum not being present and, therefore, in the belief that a quorum was present, I proceeded to prayers. I will say that, as a result of the raising of this question, a lesson may have been learnt by a number of people in this chamber, and I just take the opportunity to perhaps iterate that it is the duty of all members to ensure that a quorum is present, particularly at the commencement of proceedings when the prayers are offered.