1.1
The Committee resolved on 30 March 2017 to inquire into and report on the provisions relating to disorder in the House of Representatives.
1.2
The inquiry allows the Committee to identify whether the current provisions of the standing orders are adequate or appropriate to maintaining the dignity and decorum of the House, while analysing any relevant examples of domestic or international parliaments that may have alternate mechanisms to those currently exercised under standing orders 88-96.
1.3
The inquiry was published on the parliamentary website, and the Committee sought evidence from key stakeholders. The Committee requested submissions to the inquiry from within this House as well as from Presiding Officers of other Australian state and territory legislatures and similar Westminster parliaments. The Committee invited views on those parliament’s procedures for dealing with disorder and requested comments on any changes to provisions relating to disorder and whether they were perceived to be advantageous.
1.4
The Committee also conducted a private roundtable hearing with interested Members of the House of Representatives, to canvass the issues being considered and capture the general feeling regarding the efficacy and appropriateness of the current standing order provisions.
1.5
Chapter 2 outlines the current House of Representatives standing orders relating to disorder and provides a background to the current sanctions against disorderly conduct and their development over time.
1.6
Chapter 3 considers key elements identified in evidence received by the Committee. It also details the sanctions used by other Australian and international parliaments in dealing with disorderly conduct.
1.7
Chapter 4 puts forward the Committee’s conclusions on the provisions relating to disorder in the House of Representatives.