Column

Notes

No.

Serial number of the report.

Note: The committee does not formally number its reports and the numbers in this table are used merely for internal reference.

Title

The formal title of the report as presented to the House.

Note: Shorthand titles have been used in the text of the report and these are listed in the Reference Guide at pages xviii–xix.

Origin

The date the committee resolved to undertake the inquiry unless stated otherwise.

Note: No inquiries have been referred to the committee by resolution of the House but the committee has resolved to undertake inquiries following requests.

Presented

Date on which the report was presented to the House.

Note: Only one report, No. 43 (an interim report), has been presented ‘out of session’.

Response

Date on which a response was presented to the House.

Note: This refers only to a formal response and does not include comments in periodic government responses to the Speaker’s schedule (GRSS).

Action

Date on which action was taken.

Note: It is not unusual for action to be taken in lieu of a formal response.

Comments

Remarks about responses and outcomes.

Text ref

Location in text (paragraph) of references to response and outcome.

No

Title

Origin

Presented

Response*

Action

Comments

Text ref

1

Alternative opportunities for private Members to concisely address the House

Alternative opportunities

28 Mar 1985
Committee

23 May 1985

29 Nov 1985
Min. paper

None

Government believed matter should be dealt with in the broader context of the second inquiry (which was then under way)

6.10

2

Days and hours of sitting and the effective use of the time of the House

Days and hours

18 Apr 1985
Committee

(based on responses to questionnaire)

29 May 1986

15 Sep 1987
Min. paper (incorporated in Hansard)

Indirect

Government supported most recommendations which the committee then framed as proposed sessional orders—see No. 4

Government did not support changes to sitting pattern, establishment of business committee or reintroduction of legislation committees

6.22–3

3

The standing orders and practices which govern the conduct of question time

Conduct of Question Time

20 Feb 1986
Committee

(based on responses to questionnaire)

27 Nov 1986

None

None

Referred to in GRSS 5 Jun 1991 (bipartisan support had not been obtained); GRSS 19 Dec 1991 (would respond in due course); GRSS 31 Jun 1995 (would not respond because report had been superseded by later report)

6.20, 6.27

4

Improved opportunities for private Members: Proposed sessional orders

Improved opportunities

8 Oct 1987
Committee

(at suggestion of Leader of the House)

5 Nov 1987

Not needed

(follow-up to No. 2)

9 Dec 1987

House adopted sessional orders which committee proposed to implement those recommendations in No. 2 which the Government supported

6.26

5

The ringing of the bells and the Chamber precincts in the new Parliament House and certification of petitions not in the English language

Ringing of bells

24 Nov 1987
Committee

(at suggestion of Leader of the House)

14 Apr 1988

(a)
Action

(b)
28 Feb 1989
Min. paper

24 May 1988

4 May 1989

House amended standing orders and adopted sessional orders for division and quorum arrangements in new Parliament House (a)

House amended standing order on certification of petitions (b)

6.31

6.32

6

The publication of tabled papers

Publication of tabled papers

23 Feb 1988
Committee

(at request of Speaker)

24 Nov 1988

None

27 Aug 1997

No response received before change of Government. Committee requested response in No. 27. Referred to in GRSS 19 Jun 1997—House amended standing order less restrictively than recommended by committee

6.35, 6.117

7

Committee procedures for dealing with witnesses

Dealing with witnesses

23 Feb 1988
Committee

13 Apr 1989

None

None

No response received before change of Government. Committee did not request response in No. 27. Noted in GRSS 19 Jun 1997

6.42, 6.117

8

The election of Speaker

Election of Speaker

4 Apr 1989
Committee

(at request of Leader of the House)

11 May 1989

None

None

The Government indicated in GRSS 31 Aug 1995 that it would not respond because the report had been superseded by a later report

6.42

9

The standing orders governing the conduct of committees of the House [1st report on review of standing orders]

Conduct of committees

7 Mar 1989
Committee

30 Nov 1989

None

None

No response received before change of Government. Committee did not request response in No. 27. Noted in GRSS 19 Jun 1997

6.42, 6.117

10

Greater opportunities for debate on reports from parliamentary committees

Debate on reports

31 May 1990
Committee

11 Oct 1990

None

6 Dec 1990

House adopted sessional orders giving effect to most recommendations

6.51–2

11

Responses to petitions

Responses to petitions

31 May 1990
Committee

6 Dec 1990

None

None

Leader of the House indicated in correspondence to committee that Government did not support recommendation

No response received before change of Government. Committee requested response in No. 27. Referred to in GRSS 19 Jun 1997—Government saw no reason to change existing arrangements

6.53, 6.117

12

Private Members’ Business: Speech time limits for individual Members and priority to notices for private Members’ bills

Private Members’ business

19 Feb 1991
Committee

(at request of Selection Committee)

6 Mar 1991

None

14 Mar 1991

House adopted amended sessional orders giving effect to recommendations

6.55

13

The standing orders governing: General rule for conduct of business and procedures for the opening of Parliament [2nd report on review of standing orders]

Conduct of business and opening of Parliament

7 Mar 1989
Committee

6 Jun 1991

None

None

Government indicated in GRSS 31 August 1995 that it would not respond because report had been superseded by a later inquiry

6.59

14

A citizen’s right of reply

Right of reply

14 May 1991
Committee

6 Jun 1991

None

27 Aug 1997

No response received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. The Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it accepted the recommendation and it was later implemented in a resolution with continuing effect

6.59, 6.117

15

Disclosure of in camera evidence

Disclosure of in camera evidence

14 May 1991
Committee

14 Nov 1991

None

None

No response received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it expected committee to address this in its current inquiry on committees

6.60, 6.117

16

The standing orders governing the Speaker, Chairman, Deputy Chairmen and Officers [3rd report on review of standing orders]

Speaker, Chairman etc.

7 Mar 1989
Committee

30 Apr 1992

None

None

Government indicated in GRSS 31 Aug 1995 that it would not respond because the report had been superseded by later report, No. 20, but that it supported in principle the recommendations about the election of Speaker

6.63

17

Seconding of private Members’ notices of motion [4th report of review of standing orders]

Seconding notices

7 Mar 1989
Committee

30 Apr 1992

None

None

No response had been received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it saw no reason to change

6.63, 6.117

18

The standing orders governing questions seeking information [5th report of review of standing orders]

Questions seeking information

7 Mar 1989
Committee

25 Jun 1992

None

None

Government indicated in GRSS 31 Aug 1995 that it would not respond because the report had been superseded by a later inquiry, No. 20

6.65

19

The standing orders governing disorder and strangers [6th report of review of standing orders]

Disorder and strangers

7 Mar 1989
Committee

15 Oct 1992

None

27 Aug 1997

No response had been received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it accepted most of the recommendations and corresponding sessional orders were adopted

6.70, 6.117

20

About time: Bills, questions and working hours—Inquiry into reform of the House of Representatives

About time

13 May 1993
Committee

28 Oct 1993

10 Feb1994 Min. paper

10 Feb 1994

Government accepted nearly all the recommendations except some relating to Question Time and these were implemented as standing and sessional orders

6.85

21

Application of modern technology to committee proceedings

Application of technology to committees

30 May 1994
Committee

(at request of Speaker)

5 Dec 1994

None

18 Mar 1997

No response had been received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that a trial had commenced by resolution of the House authorising one committee to follow the recommendations; these were later adopted generally by resolution with continuing effect

6.92, 6.117

22

Time for review: Bills, questions and working hours—Review of procedural changes operating since 21 February 1994

Time for review

13 Oct 1994
Committee

19 Jun 1995

29 Nov1995 Min. paper

None

Government accepted most recommendations except those dealing with Question Time and the routine of business however there was no action before the House was dissolved on 29 Jan 1996

6.100

23

Procedures for the opening of Parliament

Opening procedures

2 Mar 1995
Committee

(at request of Speaker)

16 Oct 1995

None

None

No response had been received before change of Government in 1996. Committee requested a response in No. 27. Government replied in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it did not propose to seek any changes to the traditional proceedings for the opening of Parliament

6.117

24

The operation of standing order 143: Questions to Members other than Ministers

SO 143

20 Jun 1996
Committee

(at request of Leader of the House in previous Parliament)

16 Sep 1996

10 Oct 1996
Min. paper

Not needed

Accepted. Status quo maintained

6.106

25

Bills—Consideration in detail: Review of the operation of standing order 226

SO 226

22 Aug 1996
Committee

(at request of Speaker)

28 Oct 1996

5 Dec 1996
Min. paper

6 Feb 1997

Accepted. Standing order amended

6.108

26

Conduct of divisions

Conduct of divisions

20 Jun 1996
Committee

18 Nov 1996

None

6 Mar 1997

Government indicated in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that a trial had commenced by resolution of the House

The sessional orders which effected the trial were adopted as standing orders on 4 Dec 1997

6.112

27

Review of reports of previous Procedure Committees which have not received a government response

Review of reports

20 Jun 1996
Committee

(at request of Leader of the House)

2 Dec 1996

None

19 Jun 1997

Government indicated in GRSS 19 Jun 1997 that it was responding in this document to the 8 reports for which the committee requested responses: Nos. 6, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 23 as well as two for which the committee did not request responses: 7 and 9

6.117

28

Provision for Members to make short speeches in the Main Committee

Short speeches in the Main Committee

4 Jun 1997
Committee

(at request of Member)

20 Oct 1997

None

4 Dec 1997

Sessional orders adopted. Sessional orders adopted as standing orders on 30 Jun 1998

6.121

29

Ten years on—A review of the House of Representatives committee system

Ten years on

20 Nov 1997 Committee

1 Jun 1998

None

3 Dec 1998

Most recommendations adopted among rationalised standing orders for committees

6.126–7

30

It’s your House—Community involvement in the procedures and practices of the House of Representatives and its committees

It’s your House

10 Mar 1999 Committee

22 Nov 1999

10 Oct 2000
Min. paper
Spkr’s paper

various

Speaker supported 18 recommendations for which he felt responsible; Government supported 20 (out of 31 though not all were in Government’s hands)

Report was followed up by No. 33

6.144–5

31

e-motions: The electronic transaction of questions, answers and notices of motion and related matters

e-motions

24 Nov 1999 Committee

12 Apr 2000

6 Dec 2000
Min. paper

7 Dec 2000

Standing orders were amended to implement the main recommendations

6.148

32

The Second Chamber: Enhancing the Main Committee

Second chamber

24 Nov 1999
Committee

14 Aug 2000

27 Jun 2002
Min. paper

22 Aug 2002

Standing orders were amended and a sessional order adopted to implement most of the recommendations

6.161–2

33

Promoting community involvement in the work of committees: Conference of committee chairs, deputy chairs and secretaries 6 March 2001

Promoting community involvement

24 Nov 1999 Committee

(launch deferred until responses to No. 30 received)

18 Jun 2001

27 Jun 2002
Min. paper

various

Report dealt with implementation of recommendations in No. 30 dealing with committees. Few recommendations required a Government response and most were expressions of principle rather than proposals for changes to the standing orders

6.161, 6.163

34

Balancing tradition and progress: Procedures for the opening of Parliament

Balancing tradition and progress

7 Feb 2001 Committee

27 Aug 2001

None

None

6.190, 6.208

35

Sessional Order 344

SO 344

7 Feb 2001
Committee

(at request of Leader of the House)

19 Jun 2003

Not needed

Not needed

Report followed adoption of sessional order and recommended its retention. Status quo maintained.

The intent of the sessional order was incorporated in the revised standing orders in No. 38

6.179

36

Review of the conduct of divisions

Review of conduct of divisions

14 Nov 2002 Committee

(at request of Leader of the House)

18 Aug 2003

Not needed

9 Sep 2003

Recommendations were administrative matters requiring no resolution of the House. Speaker announced trial of additional tellers. Trial evaluated in No. 40

6.182

37

House estimates: Consideration of the annual estimates by the House of Representatives

House estimates

20 Jun 2002 Committee

13 Oct 2003

None

None

6.190, 6.208

38

Revised standing orders: The standing orders of the House of Representatives as last amended on 6 February 2003, redrafted and reorganised

Revised standing orders

22 Aug 2002 Committee

(date on which draft received from Clerk)

24 Nov 2003

None

24 Jun 2004

Revised standing orders adopted, as presented, to take effect from start of 41st Parliament (16 November 2004)

6.199

39

Arrangements for second reading speeches

Second reading speeches

26 Jun 2003 Committee

(at request of Speaker)

1 Dec 2003

None

None

6.190, 6.208

40

Trial of additional tellers

Additional tellers

9 Sep 2003
Committee

(date on which trial started)

1 Dec 2003

Not needed

10 Feb 2004

Committee recommended return to status quo ante and this was accepted

6.188

41

Renaming the Main Committee

Renaming the Main Committee

12 Feb 2004 Committee

3 Jun 2004

None

None

Government indicated in GRSS 9 Dec 2004 that it did not support the proposed name change

6.208

42

Arrangements for joint meetings with the Senate

Joint meetings

12 Feb 2004 Committee

21 Jun 2004

None

None

Government indicated in GRSS 9 Dec 2004 that it considered existing arrangements continue to remain appropriate

6.208

43

Media coverage of House proceedings: Including the Chamber, Main Committee and committees—Interim report

Media coverage

12 Feb 2004 Committee

9 Aug 2004

Not needed

Not needed

Interim report only

6.208

44

The anticipation rule: Aspects of the application of the rule

Anticipation rule

9 Dec 2004
Committee

(at request of Speaker)

14 Mar 2005

None

17 Mar 2005

House adopted recommendations for a trial period

6.211