Constitution of Urabba Parks/Section 23

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Chapter 1 >>Part 2 >>Division 5 >>Subdivision D >>Section 23

Conduct of proceedings of parliamentary bodies[edit | edit source]

Exercise of privileges and immunities[edit | edit source]

(1)  Unless otherwise provided under law, a parliamentary body may provided it has at least one member who is a legislative director who is able sit as a member of the body may exercise and enjoy its powers, privileges and immunities despite any vacancy in any member or class thereof.

Quorum of parliamentary bodies[edit | edit source]

(2)  At a proceeding of a parliamentary body, the presence of the sole member of the body or a proportion provided under law for the body, being no fewer than 2 members:

(a)  in the case of a question that requires a specific majority of members to pass as a resolution – the specific majority; or
(b)  in any other case - at least one third of the whole number of members, unless a quorum is provided under law;

shall be necessary for the body to proceed to business.

Decision making of parliamentary bodies[edit | edit source]

(3)  Unless otherwise provided under law, at a meeting of a parliamentary body:

(a)  questions arising in shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members present;
(b)  each member (including the chair) shall have one vote; and
(c)  when the votes are equal the question shall pass in the negative.

Relevant notes from the Explanatory Memorandum[edit | edit source]

115. This section provides a default set of rules for the quorum and votes of parliamentary bodies. Under subsection 4(1), a parliamentary body includes a body forming part of the legislature, such as a House of the Parliament (referred to as a deliberative component), or a committee of a House or a joint committee of the Houses. Parliamentary proceedings fall in the broader category of ‘internal proceedings’ (see note 127 below).

116. Under subsection (1), a parliamentary body that consists of at least one member may exercise its privileges and immunities despite any vacancy. This is to ensure that such a body (such as a committee of one) may exercise its powers despite any other implied rule to the contrary.

117. Under subsection (2), at least one third of members (with a minimum of two members) must be present at a parliamentary body, except in the case of a specific majority being required or a quorum provided under law. However, if the body consists of one member, quorum shall be that member. The purpose of this section is to allow for the flexibility in setting quorum for parliamentary bodies.

118. Under subsection (3), questions at a parliamentary body are decided by a simple majority of votes unless otherwise provided under law. The chair gets a deliberative vote but does not get a casting vote unless otherwise provided under law. This provision reflects the decision making procedure of the Senate, as provided in the corresponding section of the Australian Constitution.