200  Putting of question ends debate

A senator may not speak to any question after it has been put by the President and the vote commenced.

Amendment history

Adopted: 19 August 1903 as SO 422 but renumbered as SO 417 for the first printed edition

1989 revision: Old SO 432 renumbered as SO 200; expression streamlined and language modernised

Commentary

Adopted without debate in 1903 and never substantively amended, SO 200 gives guidance on when a debate is taken to have concluded. In practice, some latitude is granted by the Chair where senators may have been caught unawares by the putting of the question. This is particularly the case in committee of the whole where debate may flow freely and rapidly and involve several participants.