General Times

Senate Numbers

Debating Opportunities and Time Limits

(see: Brief Guide* No. 4—Rules of Debate)

Bills (see: Brief Guide* No. 9—Consideration of legislation)

1° of non-amendable bill............................. 15 mins......................... SO112(2)
2°...................................................................... 20 mins......................... SO 189(1)
In committee................................................... 15 mins......................... SO 189(3)
                                                      (+ possible extension of 15 mins)
3°...................................................................... 20 mins......................... SO 189(1)
Selection of Bills Committee—
adoption of report............................................. 5 mins......................... SO 24A(7)
                                                            (limit for debate: 30 mins)
Reference of a bill to committee................... 5 mins......................... SO 115(6)
                                                            (limit for debate: 30 mins)

SO = standing orders   
* Brief Guides to Senate Procedure at www.aph.gov.au/senate/pubs/guides/index.htm   

Debating Opportunities and Time Limits—continued

Committee reports and government responses (see: Brief Guide* No. 3—Opportunities for debating documents and reports)
Motions relating to report on Wednesday or Thursday.... 10 mins........................ SO 62(4)
                                                                                          (limit for debate: 1 hr)
Resumption (Thursday)......................................................... 10 mins........................ SO 62(1)
                                                                                          (limit for debate: 1 hr)

Debate

General...................................................................................... 20 mins..................... SO 189(1)
Extension of time (possible)........................................ 10 mins..................... SO 189(1)
In committee............................................................................. 15 mins..................... SO 189(3)
In reply....................................................................................... 20 mins..................... SO 189(2)

Documents (General)

Motions moved by leave......................................................... 10 mins..................... SO 169(2)
                                                     (limit for debate: 30 mins per motion, 1 hr for all motions)

Government documents—consideration (see: Brief Guide* No. 3—Opportunities for debating documents and reports)
Motion to take note (Tuesday and Wednesday)................... 5 mins........................ SO 61(3)
                                                                                      (limit for debate: 30 mins)
Resumption (Thursday)........................................................... 5 mins........................ SO 61(3)
                                                                                          (limit for debate: 1 hr)

Matters of Public Importance/Urgency (see: Brief Guide* No. 10—Matters of public importance and Urgency)
All speakers.............................................................................. 10 mins........................ SO 75(7)
                                                                (limit for debate: 1 hr, or 90 mins if no motions are
                                                                moved after question time to take note of answers)

Discussion of matters of public interest........... 15 mins........................ SO 57(2)

Questions (see: Brief Guide* No. 17—Questions)
Without notice
   Asking question.................................................................. 1 min........................ SO 72(3)
   Answering question......................................................... 4 mins........................ SO 72(3)
   Supplementary question................................................... 1 min........................ SO 72(3)
   Answering supplementary................................................ 1 min........................ SO 72(3)
Debate on motions relating to answers................................ 5 mins........................ SO 72(4)
                                                                                      (limit for debate: 30 mins)

Suspension of standing orders (see: Brief Guide* No. 5—Suspension of standing orders).............................................................................................. 5 mins..................... SO 209(4)
                                                                                      (limit for debate: 30 mins)

Debate for the election of the
President of the Senate................................................ 15 mins.......................... SO 6(2)

Adjournment of the Senate......................................... 10 mins........................ SO 54(5)
                                                                             (limit for debate: 40 mins, except for
                                                                           Tuesday which has no limit on debate)

  SO = standing orders

  * Brief Guides to Senate Procedure at www.aph.gov.au/senate/pubs/guides/index.htm