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Standing Order Details

S.O.10 Speaker - Election of - Constitution Act 1902

10.
      1. The Speaker shall be elected on the first sitting day of a new Parliament or whenever the office becomes vacant.
      2. The election of Speaker shall be in accordance with section 31B of the Constitution Act 1902.
      3. In addition to the provisions in the above mentioned section, the following procedure shall apply:
          1. At least one week before the scheduled sitting the Clerk shall invite all Members to submit their nominations for the vacant office by 9.00 am on the day of the election; and shall publish the names of the nominees.
          2. At the prescribed time of the first day of sitting the Clerk will:
              1. announce the number of nominations received.
              2. if there is one valid nomination, declare that Member to be elected.
              3. if there is more than one valid nomination, announce the fact that a ballot will be required.
              4. have ballot papers prepared and initialled.
              5. order that the bells be rung as prescribed for the taking of a ballot.
              6. call each Member by order of electorate, with Members proceeding to the Table to collect a ballot paper. The names of Members issued with ballot papers will be crossed off a list.
          3. Having received a ballot paper Members will cast their vote in secret.
          4. The Clerk will then declare the ballot closed.
          5. The votes will be counted by the Clerks and the Clerk will declare a Member to be elected.

Note: At no time during these proceedings will the Chamber be locked or the sitting suspended.

amended 13 April 2016