Points of Order — Speaker’s Rulings—Discharge of Bills Under Urgency

Point of order. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Thanks very much for coming back to the House on the matter that occurred during urgency. I think it is, certainly, an issue that warrants further consideration, and given the timing of the parliamentary term, it is appropriate that it is for the next Parliament and the Business Committee within it to consider it. I note your reference to Speaker’s ruling 15/4, which is appropriate, but during our exchanges and points of order during urgency, we also referenced 15/5, and the Government indicating to the Speaker that it doesn’t intend to continue with urgency and specifically that if no member moves the introduction of a bill, then that can be taken as such an indication. It might be useful for a future Business Committee to get your thoughts on whether that Speakers’ ruling should also be considered as part of those deliberations.

💬 SPEAKER: I thank the member for that, it was a difficult situation during the urgency period. I do think that is something the Standing Orders Committee should consider at the earliest convenience, or the Business Committee if it’s sooner. It’s a gap that we have discovered in the Standing Orders that should not be there.