Standing Orders Committee

Standing Orders Committee

The Standing Orders committee reviews and considers the rules that govern how the Parliament operates. These are known as the Standing Orders.

The Standing Orders Committee conducts a regular review of the rules of the House known as Standing Orders and the procedures and practices of the House. The committee recommends to the House proposals for amendments, revocation or addition of Standing Orders or the alteration of procedures or practices. The committee also considers and reports on any matter referred to it by the House or under the Standing Orders.

The Standing Orders Committee is set up at the start of each term of Parliament. The committee’s membership usually includes representation from each parliamentary party, and is almost always chaired by the Speaker.

The review of Standing Orders by the Standing Orders Committee is a wide-ranging examination of how the House and its committees operate. The review usually takes place in the second half of a parliamentary term, with a view to the committee’s recommended changes to procedure taking effect following the dissolution of Parliament. The committee generally asks for public submissions on the review, and this is an opportunity for members and the public to have a say on virtually any aspect of parliamentary practice.

SO 166. (c) Standing Orders Committee

(1) The Standing Orders Committee is established at the commencement of each Parliament and must consist of the following members—

(a) Speaker, who is the chairperson of the committee;
(b) Deputy Speaker, who acts as chairperson of the committee in the absence of the Speaker;
(c) Prime Minister;
(d) one other Minister;
(e) Leader of the Opposition; and
(f) two other members not being from the Government.

(2) The quorum of the committee is four.

(3) The functions of the Standing Orders Committee are to:

(a) at least once in every term of Parliament review the Standing Orders, procedures, and practices of the Parliament:
(b) consider and report to the Parliament on any matter relating to the Standing Orders, procedures, and practices of the Parliament:
(c) recommend to the House the amendment, revocation, or addition of any Standing Order or the alteration of any procedure or practice of the Parliament:
(d) consider and report to the Parliament on any matter referred by the Parliament or otherwise under the Standing Orders.

STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairperson:

Honourable Tai Tura

Deputy Chairperson:

Mr Tingika Elikana

Member:

Honourable Mark Brown

Member:

Honourable Vaine Mokoroa

Member:

Honourable Tina Pupuke Browne

Member:

Mr Robert Heather

Member:

Mr Toa Isamaela