7.10 Debate in Committee of the Whole House

Once the Bill has been read a second time, the Legislative Assembly resolves itself into the Committee of the Whole House to examine and pass the clauses (and any Schedules and Preamble to the Bill). This stage is also known as the Committee stage or consideration in detail. During this stage each clause of the Bill is examined and amendments may be made to each clause, including the deletion of a clause. New clauses may also be proposed, if the subject matter of the proposed clause falls within the long title of the Bill.

This stage also affords Members, particularly the Opposition, further opportunity to probe the Minister (or Member responsible for the Bill) for explanations about the operation of the Bill and the interpretation of clauses. Standing Orders provide that Members may speak up to three times on each question in Committee, but only for a maximum time of 20 minutes, 10 minutes on the first occasion and five minutes on the second and third occasions.

Members must talk on issues strictly relevant to the particular clause or amendment before the Chair. Should the Bill contain a Preamble, then this is postponed until all the clauses and Schedules are passed. The Preamble is then considered and agreed to, amended or deleted.

Prior to the commencement of the Committee stage the Clerk hands to the Minister a pro - forma running sheet. This pro - forma running sheet (refer to Part 7.11) contains all the relevant procedural motions that the Minister will need to move to take the Bill through all stages until its conclusion. An example is provided below.

GAMING MACHINE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2)

(Treasurer responds to the second reading debate)

SPEAKER: The Question is - That the Bill be read a second time.

GOVT [AYES]

(The Clerk reads title of the Bill)

TREASURER: Mr Speaker I move, That you do now leave the Chair and the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill in detail.

(Chairman takes Chair)

CHAIRMAN: There are 210 Clauses and 2 Schedules. I propose to call the Clauses. If any Member wishes to speak to a particular Clause, will he or she please indicate.

The Question is - That Clause 1 as read stand part of the Bill.

Those of that opinion say Aye; those against No. I think the Ayes have it.

GOVT [AYES]

(After consideration of Clause 1 is completed)

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That Clause 2 as read stand part of the Bill.

TREASURER: Mr Chairman, I move amendment No.1 circulated in my name.

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That the Treasurer's amendment be agreed to.

GOVT [AYES]

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That the Clause as amended stand part of the Bill.

GOVT [AYES]

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That Clauses 3 ... as read stand part of the Bill.

(After consideration of Clause 153 is completed)

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That Clause 154 as read stand part of the Bill.

TREASURER: Mr Chairman, I move amendment No.2 circulated in my name.

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That the Treasurer's amendment be agreed to.

GOVT [AYES]

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That the Clause as amended stand part of the Bill.

GOVT [AYES]

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That Clauses 155 .... as read stand part of the Bill.

(After consideration of Clause 210 is completed)

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That Schedules 1 and 2 as read stand part of the Bill.

GOVT [AYES]

(After consideration of the Bill is completed)

(Call the Treasurer)

TREASURER: Mr Chairman, I move - That you do now leave the Chair and report the Bill with amendments to the House.

CHAIRMAN: The Question is - That I do now leave the Chair and report the Bill with amendments.

GOVT [AYES]

(When agreed to Chairman leaves Chair and reports to Mr Speaker)

CHAIRMAN: The Committee has considered the Bill and has agreed to it with amendments.

TREASURER: Mr Speaker, I move - That the Bill, as amended, be now taken into consideration.

(After question put)

TREASURER: Mr Speaker, I ask leave of the House to move now for the third reading of the Bill.

(After leave granted)

TREASURER: Mr Speaker, I move - That the Bill be now read a third time.

(After question put)

(The Clerk reads title of the Bill)

TREASURER: Mr Speaker, I move - That the title of the Bill be agreed to.

(After question put)

(Mr Speaker calls the Clerk to read next Order of the day)

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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