Standing Order 187

Senate standing order 187 says, "A senator shall not read a speech" but Presidents have ruled that senators may use “copious notes” and that reading is permissible in some circumstances. The rationale of the prohibition on reading speeches is that it prevents proper debate. A similar rationale lies behind the convention that senators do not leave the chamber at the conclusion of their speeches but stay and listen to other contributions to the debate. Read more: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/aso/so187

contributed by user Henare Degan

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