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PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES GUIDE
Parliamentary Services Branch
Ph: 6552 5897
Fax: 6552 5669
July 2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DRAFTING A BILL .......................................................................................................... 1
Cabinet approval .................................................................................................................... 1
Party Room approval ............................................................................................................. 2
2. PREPARING A BILL FOR PARLIAMENT ........................................................................... 3
Final Printed version of the Bill ...................................................................................................... 3
Notice of Motion document ....................................................................................................... 3
Governors Message ....................................................................................................................... 3
Second Reading Speech ................................................................................................................. 3
Explanatory Memorandum ............................................................................................................ 4
Contact details for agency staff ...................................................................................................... 43. PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THROUGH PARLIAMENT ...................................................... 5
Introduction (Day one) ................................................................................................................... 5
First and second reading (Day two) ............................................................................................... 5
Second reading debate .................................................................................................................. 5
Consideration in Detail / Committee stage .................................................................................... 6
Referral to Parliamentary Committee ............................................................................................ 6
Third reading stage ......................................................................................................................... 7
Presentation of Bill to the other House ......................................................................................... 7
Royal Assent ................................................................................................................................... 7
Commencement of Act .................................................................................................................. 7
4. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS ......................................................................................... 8
Sitting Times ................................................................................................................................... 8
Petitions ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Disallowance Motions .................................................................................................................... 8
Business of the House: Legislative Assembly ......................................................................... 9
Brief Ministerial Statements .......................................................................................................... 9
Private Members Business ............................................................................................................. 9
Grievances ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Matter of Public Interest .............................................................................................................. 10
Ministerial Statements ................................................................................................................. 10
Business of the House: Legislative Council .......................................................................... 11
Order of Business ......................................................................................................................... 11
Ministerial Statements ................................................................................................................. 11
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5. QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................ 12
Questions on Notice............................................................................................................. 12
Responses ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Whole of Government responses ................................................................................................ 13
Deadlines ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Questions Without Notice ................................................................................................... 13
Legislative Council ........................................................................................................................ 13
Legislative Assembly..................................................................................................................... 14
6. TABLING OF PAPERS ................................................................................................... 15
Annual Reports..................................................................................................................... 15
Subsidiary Legislation ........................................................................................................... 15
Reports and other Papers .................................................................................................... 157. PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ................................................................................. 16
Legislative Council Committees ........................................................................................... 16
Legislative Assembly Committees ........................................................................................ 16
Joint Committees ................................................................................................................. 16
APPENDIX A: PARLIAMENTARY RULES AND PROTOCOLS .................................................... 17
APPENDIX B: LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: ORDER OF BUSINESS ............................................... 20
APPENDIX C: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: ORDER OF BUSINESS .................................................. 21
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1.DRAFTING A BILL
A Bill is a draft of a proposed Act of Parliament. The majority of Bills deal with the
management of public affairs and are introduced into either House of Parliament by a
Minister, although any Member is entitled to introduce a Bill.
A Bill introduced by a Member of an Opposition Party or Independent Member is called a
Private Members Bill (also seePrivate Members Business).
Cabinet approval
Drafting a BillA Minister must seek Cabinet approval for new legislation to be drafted. Guidelines for
preparing a Cabinet submission are available in the Cabinet Procedures section of the
Cabinet Handbook.
Drafting instructions and priorityDetailed drafting instructions should be included in Cabinet submissions seeking approval to
draft legislation, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Before these drafting
instructions are finalised by an agency, consultations should be undertaken with individuals
and bodies likely to be affected by the proposal.
For information on drafting instructions, please refer to the:
Cabinet Procedures section of the Cabinet Handbook; and
Parliamentary Counsels Offices Getting Legislation Drafted and EnactedGuidelines and Procedures, which explains the legislation process and lists the
responsibilities of Parliamentary Counsel and agency officers.
The Cabinet Minutes Urgency section should include suggested drafting priority or timing
of the introduction of proposed legislation to, and passage through, Parliament.
When Cabinet approves a Bill to be drafted, the Bill is automatically listed for consideration
by the Legislation Standing Committee of Cabinet (LSCC), which will set a drafting priority
and recommend timing for the Bills introduction to Parliament.
After Cabinets approval to draft, the following actions should occur:
1. Ministers OfficeThe Ministers Office should forward the Cabinet Decision to the instructing agencys
CEO. A copy of the Decision should be retained.
2. Instructing AgencyWhen notified of Cabinets approval, the instructing agency must contact
Parliamentary Counsels Office and forward drafting instructions and relevant
material. This should be undertaken as soon as possible, irrespective of whether theLSCC has allocated a drafting priority.
http://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/RoleOfGovernment/Pages/CabinetHandbook.aspxhttp://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/RoleOfGovernment/Pages/CabinetHandbook.aspxhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.dpc.wa.gov.au/RoleOfGovernment/Pages/CabinetHandbook.aspx7/29/2019 PSB Guidelinreadinges July2013
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Additional material may assist the drafting process, such as:
background information on the issue;
other legislation from Western Australia or elsewhere ; and
legal opinions or Court decisions.
The instructing agency must nominate a senior officer as the designated InstructingOfficer. This person should be familiar with the legislative proposal and able to
make, or readily obtain, decisions on policy.
3. Parliamentary Counsels OfficeThe Parliamentary Counsels Office (PCO) prepares Bills in the Governments
legislative program according to the Governments priorities. PCO also prepares
other forms of legislation such as:
regulations, rules, by-laws and other instruments;
Private Members Bills; and
various Executive Council minutes, proclamations, orders, commissions,warrants, appointments etc.
Contact details: 13th Floor, 141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Ph: (08) 9264 1444
4. Legislation Standing Committee of CabinetBased on the Cabinet Minute, Cabinet Decision and drafting instructions, the LSCC
allocates drafting priorities and includes proposed Bills in the legislative program.
The LSCC may not allocate any drafting priority to a Bill if the instructing agency hasnot provided PCO with detailed drafting instructions.
The LSCC is supported administratively by the Parliamentary Services Branch.
Approval to print a BillOnce PCO has finalised the draft legislation, in conjunction with instructing and ministerial
officers, and with the Ministers endorsement, Cabinets approval to print the Bill must be
sought. This involves a new Cabinet submission including the draft Bill. Refer to the Cabinet
Procedures section of the Cabinet Handbook for further information. At this point, the
instructing officer should have finalised the Bills second reading speech and explanatorymemorandum.
Party Room approval
Political Parties have internal Parliamentary Committees comprising backbench Members.
While the Committees are not formal entities, they are responsible for reviewing proposed
legislative amendments within the portfolio area allocated to them. When Cabinet
approves a Bill for printing, the Minister must present the Bill and any associated
explanatory material to the Party Room for approval. The Party Room Secretary
(9222 7420) can assist with this process.
The Party Room generally meets on the Tuesday morning of a Parliamentary sitting week.
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2.PREPARING A BILL FOR PARLIAMENT
The following are required for a Bill to be introduced into Parliament:
Printed version of the Bill
Notice of Motion document Governors Message(for Money Bills only)
Second Reading Speech
Explanatory Memorandum
Contact details for agency staff
Final Printed version of the BillParliamentary Services Branch advises PCO when Cabinet has approved the printing of a Bill.
PCO will arrange for the Bill to be printed by the State Law Publisher (SLP), which is
responsible for the publication and dissemination of statutory information on behalf of
Parliament and other clients.
The printed Bill is forwarded directly by SLP to the relevant House of Parliament and held
securely until the Bill is first read by the Minister in Parliament. The SLP is a division of the
Department of the Premier and Cabinet:
Contact details: Ground Floor, 10 William Street
PERTH WA 6000
Ph: (08) 9426 0000
Fax: (08) 9321 7534
Notice of Motion documentWhen Cabinet has approved a Bill for printing, PCO finalises the notice of motion required
to introduce the Bill into Parliament. Copies of the notice of motion document are issued
to the Ministers office, the Bills instructing officer and the Parliamentary Services Branch.
Parliamentary Services Branch will provide the responsible Minister with the Notice of
Motion to be read in the House.
Governors Message
Any Bill appropriating revenue requires a Governors Message, which is arranged by theParliamentary Services Branch. Note also the constitutional requirement for any Bill that
appropriates revenue to be introduced in the Legislative Assembly.1
Second Reading SpeechThe second reading speech is usually prepared by the instructing officer in conjunction with
the ministerial office and the Minister. Usually it is brief less than 1000 words and
outlines the policy objectives of the Bill. It should not include a clause-by-clause description
of the Bill, which is provided in the Explanatory Memorandum.
1Section 46(1) of the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899
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In order to introduce a Bill, the Parliamentary Services Branch requires:
a hard copy for the Minister to read, formatted to the Ministers preference;
30 hard copies (12 point, single spaced, double sided) for MPs; and
an electronic version of the speech (Word, not PDF).
Please note, Legislative Council Standing Order 126(1) requires a second reading speech toinclude advice as to whether or not the Bill is a uniform legislation Bill and shall give
reasons as to why. A uniform legislation Bill will be referred to the Legislative Council s
Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review Committee for consideration.
Suggested wording for uniform legislation BillsPursuant to Legislative Council Standing Order 126(1), I advise that this Bill is a
uniform legislation Bill. It is a Bill that ratifies or gives effect to an intergovernmental
or multilateralagreement to which the Government of the State is a party.
OR
Pursuant to Legislative Council Standing Order 126(1), I advise that this Bill is a
uniform legislation Bill. It is a Bill that, by reason of its subject matter, is part of a
uniform scheme or uniform laws throughout the Commonwealth.
Suggested wording for Bills that are not uniform legislation Bills:
Pursuant to Legislative Council Standing Order 126(1), I advise that this Bill is not a
uniform legislation Bill. It does not ratify or give effect to an intergovernmental or
multilateral agreement to which the Government of the State is a party. Nor does this
Bill, by reason of its subject matter, introduce a uniform scheme or uniform laws
throughout the Commonwealth.
Details of the intergovernmental agreement or uniform scheme should be provided in the
second reading speech. Standing Order 126(5) requires relevant information to be
forwarded to the Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review Committee within three working
days after referral.
Explanatory MemorandumAn Explanatory Memorandum (EM) must accompany each Bill when it is first read in the
Legislative Assembly (Standing Order 162(2)) and Legislative Council (Standing Order 121).
The EM provides the rationale for the Bill and explains how each clause of the Bill achievesits objectives. An effective EM can assist the passage of a Bill through Parliament and
eliminate unnecessary enquires to Ministers and departments. While there are no specific
requirements, it should be concise and written so a person with reasonable general
knowledge can understand the objective of each clause.
The Parliamentary Services Branch will require:
30 hard copies (12 point, single spaced, double sided) for distribution to MPs
an electronic copy (Word, not PDF)
Contact details for agency staffParliamentary Services branch will need names and contact numbers (including after hours)for advisers who may need to attend Parliament when the Bill is debated.
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3.PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THROUGH PARLIAMENT
Parliamentary Services Branch will liaise with the Ministers office regarding the timing of a
Bills introduction.
Introduction (Day one)The Minister must rise in the House to give notice of a motion for a Bill to be introduced at
the next sitting. This is the notice of motion document prepared by Parliamentary
Counsels Office. A copy of the notice of motion will be attached to the Ministers
parliamentary day sheet prepared by Parliamentary Services Branch and placed on the
Ministers desk in the chamber.
First and second reading (Day two)The Minister rises in the House and moves that the Bill be read a first time and provides a
copy of the printed Bill, along with a copy of the EM. This motion is voted on and the Clerkthen reads the long title of the Bill.
The Bill is publicly available after the first reading.
The Minister then moves that the Bill be read a second time and proceeds to the second
reading speech.
Parliamentary Services will deliver a copy of the printed Bill, second reading speech and EM
to the Ministers desk in the House and distribute copies for other Members.
Generally there is no further debate on the Bill at this stage:
In the Legislative Council, it is customary for a Bill to be left on the Notice Paper for
at least one calendar week before the second reading debate can commence.
In the Legislative Assembly, Standing Order 168(1) provides that debate on a Bill
originating in the Assembly is adjourned for three calendar weeks.
Briefing Opposition Parties
It is common for Opposition and Independent Members to be offered briefings on
legislation proposed by Government. Generally the instructing officer, through the
Ministers office, offers the briefing after the Bill has been second read, but before the
commencement of the second reading debate.
Chamber protocols for ministerial and departmental staff
Ministerial advisers and senior departmental officers may be required to assist Ministers as
a Bill progresses through the Houses. The procedures and administration of the Assembly
and Council are different. SeeAppendix A:Parliamentary Rules and Protocols.
Second reading debateParliamentary Services Branch will notify the Ministers office when the second reading
debate is scheduled to commence. The Ministers office must advise instructing officers
when they should be available.
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The scheduling of business in the Legislative Assembly is determined by the Leader of the
House, and in the Legislative Council, by the Leader of the Government in that House.
The second reading debate is the most important phase for a Bill, as its entire foundation is
considered. Each Member of the House is entitled to make one speech during this debate,
after which the main vote on the Bill will occur.
The overall length of the second reading debate is determined by the nature of the policy
issues in the proposed legislation and the number of Members who speak.
Consideration in Detail / Committee stageA Bill generally proceeds to the next stage, known in the Legislative Assembly as
Consideration in Detail and in the Legislative Council as Consideration in Committee.
This involves clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill and is the opportunity for Members
to move any amendments to clauses.
The Minister will move to the table of the House, accompanied by advisers, if required.
An uncontroversial or straightforward Bill may, with Members consent, proceed directly to
the third reading without going into the Consideration in Detail / Committee stage.
Proposed Opposition amendments
Opposition Members may propose amendments, which will appear towards the end of the
Parliamentary Notice Paper in the Legislative Assembly, or for the Legislative Council, in the
Supplementary Notice Paper. Written amendments may also be moved on the floor of the
House, during the debate.
Proposed Government amendments
The Minister may propose amendments, which will be prepared by PCO in consultation with
the instructing officer. To submit the amendments, Parliamentary Services Branch requires:
a hard copy signed by the Minister; and
an electronic copy (Word, not PDF).
Referral to Parliamentary CommitteeEither House may opt to refer a Bill to a Committee as an alternative to the House
considering a Bill in Detail / Committee stage. This allows a small group of Members tomeet outside the House to consider in detail the legislation.
In the Legislative Council, legislation relating to intergovernmental matters is automatically
referred to the Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review Committee if it (see Legislative
Council Committeesbelow). Note that Legislative Council Standing Order 126(5) requires
relevant information to be forwarded to the Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review
Committee within three working days after referral.
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Third reading stageAn amended Bill must be reprinted before the third reading stage, so the third reading
usually will occur on the next sitting day. Reprinting is arranged by Parliament House
officers and the State Law Publisher.
Further debate may occur at the third reading stage, and is more likely when a Bill is
contentious. All Members are entitled to speak during this stage. When the vote is taken at
the end of the third reading debate, the Bill has completed its passage through that House.
Presentation of Bill to the other HouseThe approved Bill, accompanied by an appropriate Message, is sent to the other House
where a similar process to the above will commence. This transmission process is managed
by parliamentary officers from each House.
Parliamentary Services Branch will contact the Ministers office or instructing officer toarrange for changes to the second reading speech to reflect amendments to the Bill during
its passage through the first House.
The second reading speech must also be altered so references to the Speaker, President or
Minister are appropriate to the House about to consider the Bill.
Any further amendments to the Bill must be returned to the original House for
consideration before the Bill is finally passed by Parliament.
Royal AssentA Bill approved by both Houses of Parliament is certified by the Clerk of the Parliament and
Parliamentary Counsel and presented to the Governor for Royal Assent. This process is
managed by the Department of the Premier and Cabinets Executive Government Branch.
Commencement of ActSection 2 of an Act usually states the manner in which it will come into effect. An Act may
specify that it will become operational:
on a date specified in the Act;
on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent; and
by proclamation in the Government Gazette
It is also possible for an Act to have a combination of these methods so various sections
come into effect at different times. If none of the above is stipulated, the Act will be
deemed to have commenced 28 days after Royal Assent. For more detail on the
proclamation process, see Parliamentary Counsels OfficesGetting Legislation Drafted and
Enacted Guidelines and Procedures.
http://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdfhttp://www.department.dotag.wa.gov.au/_files/Government_legislation.pdf7/29/2019 PSB Guidelinreadinges July2013
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4.PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS
Sitting Times
Legislative Assembly: Tuesdays: 2.00pm - 10.00pm (break from 6.00pm 7.00pm)Wednesdays: 12.00 noon -7.00pm (No breaks)
Thursdays: 9.00 a.m.-5.00pm (break from 1.00pm 2.00pm)
Legislative Council: Tuesdays: 3.30pm 10.25pm (break from 6.00pm - 7.30pm)
Wednesdays: 4.00pm 10.25pm (break from 6.00pm - 7.30pm)
Thursdays: 11.00am 6.00pm (break from 1.00pm to 2.00pm)
Petitions
A petition must conform to the Standing Orders of the House to which it is presented.Petitions presented to the Legislative Council automatically stand referred to the
Environment and Public Affairs Committee of that House for consideration.
A petitions covering page will be forwarded to the relevant Minister for their information
and any action considered appropriate. Should a response be necessary, copies of the
complete petition can be obtained from Parliament House.
Legislative Council Procedure Office: Ph: 9222 7384
Fax: 9321 8650
Legislative Assembly Office: Ph: 9222 7381
Fax: 9321 2901
Disallowance Motions
The Standing Orders of each House provide for Disallowance Motions relating to subsidiary
legislation (such as regulations, rules, local laws and by-laws) laid before Parliament.
In the Legislative Assembly any motion by Opposition Members to disallow a regulation
would normally be debated during Private Members Business and, if not brought on for
debate by either the Opposition or the Government, would lapse upon the prorogation of
Parliament.
In the Legislative Council, when ten sitting days have elapsed from when the disallowance
motion was first moved, the motion must be debated and put to a vote on the next sitting
day. In the event Parliament is prorogued before the question is resolved, a disallowance
motion is deemed to be resolved in the affirmative, thereby disallowing the instrument.
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Business of the House: Legislative AssemblyA sitting day in the Legislative Assembly generally includes:
Prayers;
presentation of petitions;
presentation of papers for tabling;
giving Notices of Motion;
Brief Ministerial Statements;
Questions without Notice; and
Government Business (Notices of Motion and the passage of Bills).
In addition, the business of the House may include:
Matters of Public Interest;
Private Members Business;
Committee Reports;
Grievances; and
Members 90-Second Statements.
Brief Ministerial StatementsLegislative Assembly Standing Order 149 allows a Minister to make a Brief Ministerial
Statement (BMS) to the House not exceeding three minutes (approximately 500 words). No
debate follows the BMS, which is usually given early in the days proceedings.
An electronic copy of the BMS should be forwarded to the Manager of the Parliamentary
Services Branch at least one hour before the BMS is to be made, along with 12 hard copies.
Twelve copies must also be provided of any additional information tabled with the BMS.
Private Members BusinessPrivate Members Business allows opposition parties an opportunity to discuss their own
motions and Bills. This is usually scheduled from 4.00pm to 7.00pm on Wednesdays.
Parliamentary Services Branch is advised by the Opposition on Tuesday afternoons which
issues will be raised during Private Members Business. This information is forwarded as
soon as possible to Ministers offices.
When Opposition and Independent Members give notice of motions and Bills, ParliamentaryServices Branch will forward any relevant information to the responsible Ministers Office.
The Ministers Office may then seek information from the relevant agency. The Minister
may also consider discussing the Bill or motion in Cabinet and/or the Party Room so a
whole-of-Government position is adopted.
GrievancesGrievance debates are usually scheduled after BMSs every Thursday morning. Each
Grievance debate is limited to fourteen minutes; seven minutes for a Member to raise the
grievance and seven minutes for a Minister to reply. Generally, four Grievances are raised
each week - two by Opposition/ Independent Members and two by Government Members.
Parliamentary Services Branch will notify a Ministers office on Wednesday afternoon when
an Opposition Grievance is to be raised on Thursday morning.
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Government Members grievances are coordinated by the Office of the Legislative Assembly
Government Whip (Ph: 9222 7201; Fax: 9322 4411).
Matter of Public Interest
Matter of Public Interest (MPI) debates provide an opportunity for the Opposition to raiseissues considered topical at that time. Only one MPI debate is permitted each week under
Standing Orders. MPI debates follow Question Time, at approximately 2.45pm.
Standing Order 145(2) provides that an MPI be submitted to the Speaker in writing by
12 noon on the day it is to be debated. Parliamentary Services Branch will advise relevant
Ministers when notified by the Speaker that an MPI has been submitted.
Standing Orders provide a maximum of 30 minutes for Opposition Members to speak on the
matter and 30 minutes for Government Members. A further five minutes are available for
other Members.
The Leader of the House, the Premier and the relevant Minister determine the order of
Government speakers on an MPI debate and any proposed amendments to an MPI motion.
Ministerial StatementsLegislative Assembly Standing Order 150 allows a Minister, with the leave of the House, to
make a Ministerial Statement not exceeding twenty minutes. Other Members may speak
for up to fifteen minutes in response. These statements may occur at any time but generally
are early in the days proceedings.
It is a convention that copies of the statement and any report or paper that may be tabled
(not reports that require an order that the report be published by Parliament), must be
supplied to the Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister and all Independent Members in
that House at least two hours before the statement is made. If this requirement is not met,
leave to make the statement may be denied by Members of the House.
Twelve hard copies of the statement plus any associated papers must also be delivered to
the Parliamentary Services Branch at least one hour before the House sits that day. An
electronic version should also be provided.
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Business of the House: Legislative Council
Order of BusinessUnder Standing Orders 14, formal business at the commencement of each sitting day will
proceed in the following order:
prayers,
condolence motions,
reporting of Governors messages,
presentation of petitions,
statements by Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries,
presentation of papers for tabling,
giving notices of:
o questions
o motions to introduce Bills
o motions to disallow statutory instruments
o motions and motions without notice
orders of the day.
Other business each week includes:
Questions without Notice each sitting day at 4.30pm
Disallowance motions
Motions on Notice (Wednesday)
Committee Reports (Wednesday)
Non-Government Business (Thursday)
Private Members Business (Thursday)
Members Statements (each sitting day, before the House adjourns)
Ministerial StatementsA Minister or Parliamentary Secretary may make a statement at the time specified under
Standing Order 14, or by leave when no other business is before the Council.
Thirty copies of the statement and associated documents must be supplied to the
Parliamentary Services Branchs Legislative Council officers at least one hour before the
House sits that day. An electronic version must also be provided.
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5.QUESTIONS
Questions on Notice
Ministers may be asked questions relating to their portfolio responsibilities by any otherMember of either House of Parliament. A Question is submitted to Parliament House staff
for inclusion in the Daily Questions, which are electronically forwarded to the Parliamentary
Services Branch on each sitting day.
Parliamentary Services Branch distributes questions to the Ministerial Office via a database
operating within DPC. Each Ministerial office has designated officers who can access the
database and are responsible for co-ordinating responses to Questions.
Ministers offices should have alternative arrangements in place in the event the designated
officer is absent or on leave. Please contact the Parliamentary Services Branch should otherofficers require access to the database.
Parliamentary Services Branch will advise Ministers offices (via e-mail) of:
NEW questions in the system;
all outstanding questions (notification sent on Friday of each sitting week);
any impending due dates; and
other important details as they arise.
A complete listing of parliamentary questions asked on any given day is available through
the Parliament House web site.
ResponsesAnswers approved by a Minister should be returned to the Parliamentary Services Branch
(with one original signed by the Minister) and also transferred electronically in the
database. You must ensure the hardcopy exactly matches response in the Parliamentary
Questions Database. Successfully submitted answers will appear in Hansard, after which it
is considered to be on the public record.
All relevant information should be incorporated into the Ministers answer. Please refer to
attached papers only when necessary.
Further advice on Parliamentary Questions and the Parliamentary Questions Database is
available to ministerial officers via training manuals. To obtain a copy or arrange staff
training please call the Parliamentary Services Branch on 6552 5860.
Attachments
Answers to Questions on Notice that include a graph, table or a report or document must be
tabled separately from the question response itself. The response should refer to
attachments as follows: [see tabled paper no.].
Parliament House staff will allocate a tabled paper number to the submission. Six copies
plus an Electronic copy of the attachment must be forwarded to Parliamentary Services.
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Whole of Government responsesThe Parliamentary Services Branch will coordinate responses for questions directed to
multiple, or all, Ministers. For further information contact the Branch on 6552 5860.
DeadlinesAnswers to questions on notice must be received by 4.00pm the day before each sitting
day. Answers not received by this time are deferred to the next sitting day.
Answers must be delivered to:
Parliamentary Services Branch
1 Parliament Place
WEST PERTH WA 6005
Answers are checked by Parliamentary Services staff. The Ministers Office will be contacted
in the event there are problems. If everything is in order, answers are submitted to
Parliament House for inclusion in Hansard.
Legislative Assembly Only
Under Standing Order 80(2), all Questions on Notice must be answered within one calendar
month of the date they were asked. A Member who has not received a response to a
Question on Notice may rise in the House and ask the relevant Minister why no response
has been forthcoming.
For example, when a question was asked on 2 April, the Minister has until 2 May to submit
an answer. In the event no answer is submitted, then the member who asked the question
could rise in the House on 3 May and ask why no answer was provided.
Legislative Council Only
Under Standing Order 107(2), all Questions on Notice must be answered within the next
nine sitting days of the date they were asked. If it remains unanswered after that time, the
Minister must rise in the House, following questions without notice, to advise when an
answer is expected to be provided.
Questions Without Notice
Legislative Council
Question Time in the Legislative Council is at 4.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Questions Without Notice of which some notice is given are presented by Members
before Question Time each sitting day. Members may present Questions without Notice
directly to Parliamentary Services staff before Question Time on each sitting day. These
questions are immediately forwarded to the relevant Ministers office for response.
Questions Without Notice may also be directed to a Minister who represents another
Minister in Legislative Assembly.
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Every effort must be made to answer Questions Without Notice on the day they are asked.
If a response cannot be prepared for Question Time, then the following statement should be
provided in writing:
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this Question. It is not possible to provide the
information in the time available and I request thatthe Member place the question on notice.
The Ministers Office is responsible for answering the question, obtaining approval by the
Minister and returning it to the Parliamentary Services officer at least two hours before
Question Time commences.
Tabling of information/documents Questions without Notice in the Legislative Council.
(1) When tabling information or documents as part of a response, Ministers may table
the item without seeking leave from the House (i.e. I table the report entitled...)
(2) When a response is too detailed or lengthy to be read out, Ministers may seek leave
to have it incorporated into Hansard; providing it is in a standard format (e.g. a Word
document). There is no point tabling the document in addition to this response.
(3) If part of an answer contains a substantial document or maps/plans etc (something
Hansard is unable to incorporate) but the Minister wishes to provide other
information (that can be included in Hansard), then the Minister can table a
document and seek leave to incorporate the answer into Hansard (i.e. I table the
attached document and seek leave to incorporate the answer into Hansard)
Legislative Assembly
Question Time in the Legislative Assembly is at approximately 2pm each sitting day.
Questions Without Notice of which some notice is given in the Legislative Assembly are
presented directly to Parliamentary Services staff, or lodged with the Speakers office at
Parliament House and sent directly from that office to Ministers. Questions Without Notice
may also be directed to a Minister representing another Minister in the Legislative Council.
The Ministers Office is responsible for answering the question, obtaining approval by the
Minister and returning it to the Parliamentary Services officer before Question Time.
Every effort must be made to answer Questions Without Notice on the day they are asked.
If for some reason, a response cannot be prepared for Question Time, then the following
should be provided in writing:
I thank the Hon. Member for some notice of this Question. It is not possible to provide the
information in the time available and I request thatthe Member place the question on notice.
Government Backbenchers may also ask Questions without Notice in Question Time. This
process is coordinated by the Premiers Office (65525245).
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6.TABLING OF PAPERS
Papers tabled in Parliament are generally:
formal papers and reports (including annual reports, discussion papers,
ministerial responses to committee reports);
subsidiary legislation; and
miscellaneous papers tabled during debates or formal business.
Parliamentary Services Branch will require a covering memorandum signed by the Ministers
Chief of Staff or Executive Officer, and ten copies of the document. An electronic PDF
version of the document must also be submitted.
Annual ReportsPublic Sector Commissioner's Circular: 2013-01 Annual Reportingidentifies requirements for
agencies preparing Annual Reports. Agencies must follow the Annual Report Frameworkavailable from thePublic Sector Commission website.
Ministerial Officers should note the following for tabling annual reports in Parliament:
An annual report must be approved by the relevant Minister before tabling.
Parliamentary Services Branch requires a covering memorandum signed by the
Chief of Staff or Executive Officer and ten copies of the report (Seven copies for
the Legislative Assembly and three for the Legislative Council).
An electronic version of the report in PDF format must be submitted to the
Parliamentary Services Branch.
An electronic copy of the annual report is also required for Parliaments Tabled
Papers database, available athttp://www.parliament.wa.gov.au.
The agency must ensure the PDF document is identicalto the document tabled.
Subsidiary LegislationParliamentary Counsels Office (PCO) drafts most subsidiary legislation and advises each
House when certain regulations must be tabled. A tabled papers list is prepared at the
commencement of each sitting day for distribution in the House, arranging subsidiary
legislation and other papers to be tabled according to whether the Presiding Officer,
ministers or parliamentary secretaries are responsible.
Reports and other PapersThe Clerk of the Legislative Assembly reads the list of tabled papers, but in the Legislative
Council, the President, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries table documents relevant to
their responsibilities.
Parliamentary Services Branch coordinates the tabling of documents during formal business.
Documents are provided directly to the Clerk in the Legislative Assembly. In the Legislative
Council, tabled papers are delivered to the chamber and left on the desk of the Member
responsible. The President will call for papers for tabling during formal business, at whichpoint the relevant Member can rise to complete the tabling process.
http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/document/public-sector-commissioners-circular-2013-01-annual-reportinghttp://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/document/public-sector-commissioners-circular-2013-01-annual-reportinghttp://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/public-administration/governance/annual-reporting-frameworkhttp://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/public-administration/governance/annual-reporting-frameworkhttp://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/public-administration/governance/annual-reporting-frameworkhttp://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/public-administration/governance/annual-reporting-frameworkhttp://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/document/public-sector-commissioners-circular-2013-01-annual-reporting7/29/2019 PSB Guidelinreadinges July2013
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7.PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
Committees comprise small numbers of Members and assist Parliament in its scrutiny and
law-making functions by inquiring into complex issues. Committees can call for written
submissions, hear evidence and seek advice from experts, before reporting their findings
and recommendations to the Parliament.
A number of Committees are established by each House. There are also Joint Committees
comprising Members from each House. Information on Parliamentary Committees and their
Members is available from theParliament House website.
Legislative Council Committees
The Legislative Council has established six Committees:
1. Legislation Committee
2. Public Administration Committee3. Environment and Public Affairs Committee
4. Procedure and Privileges Committee
5. Uniform Legislation and Statutes Review Committee
6. Estimates and Financial Operations Committee
Standing Order 191 requires the Government to provide a response to the House in relation
to a Committee report within not more than 2 months or at the earliest opportunity after
that time if the Council is adjourned or in recess. Responses will not be required for
Committee reports relating to Bills.
Legislative Assembly Committees
There are four portfolio-based Standing Committees in the Legislative Assembly:
1. Public Accounts Committee
2. Community Development and Justice Committee
3. Education and Health Committee
4. Economics and Industry Committee
5. Procedure and Privileges Committee
Standing Order 277(1) states that a Committee may direct a Minister to respond to
Committee recommendations within three months of a report being tabled in Parliament.
Parliamentary Services will forward a Committee report to the relevant Ministers Office.
Joint Committees
Responsibility for administration of each joint committee is allocated to one House only.
There are currently four joint standing committees:
1. Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation (Council)
2. Joint Standing Committee on the Corruption and Crime Commission (Assembly)
3. Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People
(Assembly)
4. Joint Audit Committee (Council)
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APPENDIX A: PARLIAMENTARY RULES AND PROTOCOLS
Parking
Parking is available at the front of the building, in the car park overlooking the fountains. If
this car park is full, vehicles can be parked in the northern and southern driveways.
Passes
Ministerial and Departmental staff must wear passes within Parliament House.
Permanent Parliament House Passes
A limited number of permanent passes are issued to ministerial and departmental staff who
regularly attend the Parliament. When appropriate, a Ministers chief of staff to contact the
security manager and seek a permanent pass.
Temporary Passes
For staff without a permanent pass, a temporary pass may be issued by Parliament security.
Access within the Parliamentary Building
Non-access areas:
Speakers Corridor
Presidents Corridor
Division lobbies around the Chambers
Members Bar
Press Gallery of either House
Gymnasium
Restricted access areas (only when accompanying a Member):
Strangers Bar
Members Dining Room
Members offices (unless invited by Members)
Access is available to all other general areas, including the staff cafeteria (located on the
ground floor). Food and drink vending machines are located on the ground floor.
Chamber Protocols
Ministerial advisers and senior departmental officers are often required to assist Ministerswhen their Ministers have carriage of bills progressing through the Houses. However, the
procedures and administration of the two Chambers are somewhat different. Given this,
these processes relating to the two Houses are dealt with separately.
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LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Second Reading stage
Ministerial and Departmental staff may be required to follow the second reading stage of a
relevant Bill. Staff can undertake this task from the Speakers Gallery. Staff may take noteswhile sitting in the Speakers Gallery or Public Gallery.
When entering and leaving the Speakers Gallery, guests must bow to the Chair (prior to
being seated). Messages for a Minister can be handed to a Parliamentary Officer who will
deliver it by hand. Alternatively, Ministers can come to the rear of the Chamber and speak
to advisers seated in the Speakers Gallery. Note that messages must not be passed, nor
conversations conducted, over the Bar of the House.
Consideration in Detail stage of a Bill
Advisers are often invited onto the floor of the House to assist Ministers with bills during theconsideration in detail stage. When this occurs, advisers need to be aware of the following:
1. Await the Speakers permission prior to being escorted through the Bar of the
House.
2. A Parliamentary Officer will escort the adviser to a seat at the Table.
3. Acknowledge the Chair immediately prior to being seated.
4. Advisers attend only to their Minister, not other Members. They advise their
Minister only, and do not respond to questions from other Members.
Divisions
If a division is called during consideration in detail, advisers leave the floor of the Assembly.A Parliamentary Officer will escort the adviser off the floor and, after the division, back to
the Table.
Conclusion of Consideration in Detail
When the consideration in detail stage is concluded (or debate is interrupted and the
Assembly commences other business), advisers at the Table will be escorted from the floor
of the Assembly by a Parliamentary Officer.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Second Reading stage of a Bill
Ministerial and Departmental staff may be required to follow the second reading stage of a
relevant Bill. Staff can undertake this task from behind the Presidents Chair in the Chamber
(there are a number of seats at the rear of the Chamber provided for this purpose). Staff
should make arrangements for this through the office of the Leader of the Government in
the Legislative Council.
Advisers may take notes while sitting at the rear of the Chamber. An adviser sitting at the
rear of the Chamber must alert a Parliamentary Officer when they wish to convey a message
to a Member. Access to the rear of the Chamber can be arranged through the Leader of the
Governments Office, the Government Whip or Council staff.
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Outside normal business hours, advisers to Ministers responsible for legislation can make
arrangements to use the office of the Senior Parliamentary Liaison Officer when not
required in the House.
If necessary, Ministerial and Departmental staff can also access the Presidents Gallery at
the front of the Chamber. However, three points should be noted:1. The President of the Legislative Councils permission must be sought by a
Member for access to the Presidents Gallery. For advisers, their respective
Minister will need to obtain this permission directly from the President.
2. Guests are not permitted to read or write while in the Presidents Gallery.
3. It is not permissible to speak or pass notes over the Bar of the House.
4. Persons entering the Presidents Gallery must make obeisance by bowing to the
Chair before taking their seat.
Given the above points, access to the Presidents Gallery is not recommended for advisers.
Committee Stage
When a Bill enters the Committee of the Whole stage, advisers may be requested to assist
their Minister from the Table of the House. When this occurs, the Chamber Staff will collect
the advisers from the rear of the Chamber and escort them to the Table of the House.
Advisers need to be aware of the following procedure:
1. Await escort from the Chamber Staff
2. Acknowledge the Chair (bow) prior to being seated at the Table of the House
3. Advisers are on the floor of the Council to assist their Minister, not other
Members. They need converse with their Minister only.
Usually just one principal adviser is escorted to the Table, but two other advisers can also
attend. Remaining advisers can remain at the rear of the Chamber. An adviser seated at the
Table can call an Attendant using the call button at the Table, in order to get a message to
other advisers or, if required, interchange with an adviser. The Chief adviser sits next to the
Minister and up to two other advisers can sit opposite the Minister.
Divisions
If a division is called during the Committee of the Whole stage of a Bill, a Parliamentary
Officer will escort advisers from the floor of the Council.
Conclusion of the Whole Stage
When the Committee of the Whole stage is concluded (or debate is interrupted and the
Council proceeds onto other business), advisers at the Table will be escorted from the floor
of the Council by a Parliamentary Officer.
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APPENDIX B: LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: ORDER OF BUSINESS
TIME TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
9.00 - 9.10 a.m.
9.00 a.m.House sits
Prayers, Petitions, Papers,Notices, Brief Ministerial
Statements
9.10 - 10.10 a.m. Grievances
10.10 - 11.00 a.m.Government Business
(or Committee Reports)
11.00 - 12.00 p.m.Government Business
12.00 - 12.50 p.m.12 noon
House sitsPrayers, Petitions, Papers,Notices, Brief Ministerial
StatementsGovernment Business
12.50 - 1.00 p.m.Members Statements
(90 second statements)
1.00 - 2.00 p.m. Lunch break
2.00 - 2.05 p.m.
2.00 p.m.House sits
Prayers, Brief MinisterialStatements Questions without Notice
approx. 45 minutesQuestions without Notice
approx. 45 minutes
2.05 - 2.45 p.m.Questions without Notice
approx.45 minutes
2.45 - 2.50 p.m. Petitions, Papers, NoticesGovernment Business
or Matter of Public InterestGovernment Business
or Matter of Public Interest2.50 - 3.30 p.m.
Government Business
or Matter of Public Interest3.30 - 3.50 p.m.Government Business
Government Business3.50 - 4.00 p.m. Government Business
4.00 - 5.00 p.m.Government Business
andLegislation Committee Private Members Business5.00 - 6.00 p.m.
Adjournment
approx 5.00 p.m.
6.00 - 7.00 p.m. Dinner break
7.00 - 9.00 p.m.Government Business
and
Legislation CommitteeAdjournment
approx 7.00 p.m.9.00 - 10.00 p.m. Government Business
10.00 p.m.Adjournment
approx 10.00 p.m.
Note: All times are approximate.
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APPENDIX C: LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: ORDER OF BUSINESS
TIME TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
10.00am
House meets at 10amFORMAL BUSINESS*
NON-GOVERNMENT BUSINESS[Total: 80 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS[TOTAL: 60 MINS]
ORDERS OF THE DAY
1.00 - 2.00 pm LUNCH
2.00pm
House meets at 2.00pmFORMAL BUSINESS* ORDERS OF THE DAY
3.00pm
House meets at 3.00pmFORMAL BUSINESS*
ORDERS OF THE DAYMOTIONS ON NOTICE
4.15 - 4.30pm AFTERNOON TEA AFTERNOON TEA
4.30 - 5.00pm QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
5.00 5.20pm
ORDERS OF THE DAY
CONSIDERATION OFCOMMITTEE REPORTS
5.20-6.00pm. MEMBERS STATEMENTSORDERS OF THE DAY
6.00 - 7.30pm DINNER DINNER
7.30 - 9.45pm ORDERS OF THE DAY ORDERS OF THE DAY
9.45 - 10.00pm MEMBERS STATEMENTS MEMBERS STATEMENTS
* Formal Business comprises prayers, condolence motions, reporting of Governors messages, presentation of petitions,
statements by Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, presentation of papers for tabling, giving notices of questions, giving
notices of motions to introduce Bills, giving notices of motions to disallow statutory instruments, giving notices of motions and
motions without notice (see SO 14).
No maximum time is set for Formal Business - the House proceeds to other business after Formal Business has concluded