One of the principal means whereby the Senate informs itself in relation to public affairs is the formal presentation of documents to the Senate.
A document formally presented to the Senate is said to be “laid on the table”, and that expression is used in the standing orders. In common usage a document presented to the Senate is said to be “tabled”. Such a document is then formally before the Senate, and may be the subject of action by the Senate.
Tabling of documents
Types of tabled documents
Orders for production of documents
Resistance by government to orders
Addresses for documents
Presentation of documents when Senate not sitting
Publication of documents
Petitions
Other submissions to the Senate
Government documents – consideration
Committee reports – consideration
Annual reports – scrutiny
Documents quoted in debate
Treaties
Custody and alteration of documents