Amendment of the Standing Orders

The Agreement for a Better Parliament signed by Labor, the Coalition and the Independent Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, included the requirement that a successful suspension of standing orders occur before the recommittal of a vote in the House.

The recommittal of a vote may need to occur if a Member of the Parliament is inadvertently absent from the chamber during a division.

The suspension of standing orders would allow the issue to be debated and requires the Government to explain the need for the recommittal increasing transparency and accountability in the Parliament.

Labor reneged on the agreement, omitting the suspension of proceedings prior to a recommittal of a vote in the standing orders they introduced to the House today.

I moved an amendment to restore the requirement for a suspension of standing orders prior to the recommittal of a vote. This amendment was successful, with the Coalition, Mr Tony Crook, Mr Rob Oakeshott and Mr Tony Windsor all supporting this change, defeating the Government 73 votes to 72.

I am delighted with this outcome, and that the terms of the agreement have been maintained.

September 29, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT:

Adam Howard

0400 414 833