LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE
NORTHERN TERRITORY

THE NOTICE PAPER
(WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA?)

Introduction
Except for the first sitting of a new Session of the Assembly (where there is no business before the Assembly), on each sitting day the Clerk publishes a business paper or agenda which is called the Notice Paper, showing all business before the Assembly.

The Notice Paper is prepared by the Office of the Clerk and shows the proposed order in which the Assembly intends to proceed with business on each sitting day.

Although Notices of Motions and Orders of the Day may be set down on the Notice Paper for "the next sitting day", it does not necessarily mean that these items will be dealt with on that particular day. The Assembly may, on motion without notice postpone an item of business or, more likely, an item of business will not be reached during the course of a day's proceedings.

The Notice Paper also records information such as the membership of Assembly committees, Members of the Assembly appointed to various offices such as Speaker, Chairman of Committees and Deputy Chairman of Committees. This information is shown at the end of the Notice Paper.

The Notice Paper is published in a proof format late on the evening before the day of sitting and is available in its final form at 8.00 am on each sitting day. Advance copies are available upon request. Occasionally, if a substantial rearrangement or error occurs in the draft of the Notice Paper a revised version may be prepared and published before the meeting of the Assembly. Any such revised edition would be appropriately identified.

Government Business and General Business
For the purposes of definition Government Business means any business introduced by a Minister. Government Business Notices are those given by a Minister, for example notice to present a Bill. Notices given by all other Members are considered to be General Business and are sometimes alternatively referred to as Private Members' Business.

Notices
When a Member desires to initiate a subject for discussion in the Assembly he is required to give at least one day's notice at a previous sitting of the Assembly unless granted leave to initiate a matter forthwith. Notices of Motions are set down on the Notice Paper in chronological order in which they are given.

The procedure for giving Notice of a Motion requires a Member to read it aloud when the Speaker asks "Are there any Notices?", at the commencement of each day's proceedings. A signed and dated copy should be provided to the Clerk after a notice is given in this manner. The current practice is that Ministers may give consecutive Notices while other Members should only give one Notice from each call of the Chair. This procedure was adopted to give all non-ministerial Members of the Assembly an equal opportunity to give Notices. The Speaker usually recognizes the Leader of the Opposition immediately after Ministers. Once the Assembly proceeds to the routine of Business a Notice of Motion can only be given by leave of the Assembly.

A Notice may be set down for a specified future day and such Notices appear under specific dates in the Notice Paper where so given.

Other matters concerning Notices which are governed by Standing Orders include:

· A Member may give Notice on behalf of any other Member who is not present in the Assembly.

· If a Member wishes to change a date for bringing forward a Motion he/she may give notice of the new date but that date might not be earlier than the original date.

· If a Notice contains unbecoming expressions the Speaker may refuse to have it printed, or the Assembly may order that it be expunged from the Notice Paper.

Notices are not considered the "property of the Assembly" until they are moved. Until such time as they have been moved, a Member may withdraw the Notice, change the date for bringing on the Motion or amend the Motion, by leave, when first moving it.

Orders of the Day
An Order of the Day is a matter which the Assembly has ordered to be considered or further considered. A Notice of Motion once moved, and on which debate is adjourned, becomes an Order of the Day because the Assembly has ordered that the debate be adjourned until a later hour the same day, the next sitting day or to a specified day.

The majority of Orders of the Day are stages of Bills which are ordered for consideration on the next sitting day.

Unlike Notices, an Order of the Day is deemed to be in the possession of the Assembly and cannot be withdrawn or discharged except by resolution or leave of the Assembly.

Arrangement of Business on the Notice Paper
Standing Orders prescribe the order in which certain items of business must be dealt with. Privilege matters take preference if given precedence by the Speaker. Precedence is given, by courtesy, to votes of thanks and condolence motions. Precedence is also given to motions of censure or want of confidence whenever proposed.

Standing Orders also provide for the Assembly to conduct General Business with precedence over Government Business not less than once every twelve sitting days. It has been the practice that the Government may order an earlier day than the twelfth sitting day for precedence of General Business over Government Business and the timing for the next subsequent "General Business Day" commences immediately after that earlier day.

Business of the Assembly
Some special items of business known as Business of the Assembly may take precedence of all other Motions and Orders of the Day. Such notices include motions touching the qualification of a Member, a motion to disallow, disapprove or declare void an instrument of a legislative or administrative character made under the authority of an Act, an Order of the Day for the presentation of a Report from a Standing or Sessional Committee, a motion or Order of the Day for the appointment of a Standing or a Sessional Committee.

Matters of Public Importance
Debates on Matters of Public Importance (MPIs as they are known) are provided for in the Standing Orders. However, because of the provisions of Standing Order 94 which provide for the notification of the proposed matter directly to the Speaker, the text of a Matter of Public Importance does not appear on the Notice Paper at the start of the sitting day.

The practice has developed for the text of the proposed Matter of Public Importance to be distributed to all members at the commencement of a sitting day.

Government Business
Government Business can only be initiated by a Minister. Ministers may place Notices of Motions or take control of Orders of the Day relating to Government Business on the Notice Paper and the Government may order the arrangement of Government Business, Notices and Orders of the Day on the Notice Paper as the Chief Minister or another Minister, usually the Leader of Government Business, thinks fit.

On each sitting day Government Business has precedence of General Business except on those General Business Days previously identified. Business initiated by a Member who is not a Minister is sometimes known as "Private Members' Business" and recorded on the Notice Paper under General Business. General Business Notices are shown on the Notice Paper in the chronologically order in which they were given, while General Business Orders of the Day are shown in the order in which they were first moved. This matter will be discussed below under the heading "Outstanding Business".

However, certain motions made by private Members may be classified as Business of the Assembly and accorded precedence of other business. For example, a motion to disallow a statutory instrument would be treated as Business of the Assembly. The conduct of General Business on those days specifically set aside is described below.

Committee Reports
The resolutions appointing Sessional or Standing Committees and establishing terms of reference for such committees may contain a date for reporting. In accordance with such resolution, the Order of the Day for the Report of the Committee would appear on the Notice Paper before Government Business and General Business.

Notices and Orders set for Specific Days
On infrequent occasions Notices and Orders are not set down for the next sitting day, but set for a specific day in the future.

Outstanding Business
It is most likely that the Assembly will not consider all Notices and all Orders on the Notice Paper on any given sitting day. Those items dealt with during the sitting and expressly adjourned until the next sitting day or to a specific other sitting day become Orders for that particular day and will appear on the Notice Paper for that day in the order in which they were dealt with. Notices or Orders not reached on a sitting day are known as "outstanding business (remnants)". These items remain on the Notice Paper until disposed of and are carried forward to the next sitting day and are placed on the Notice Paper by the Clerk at the end of business already fixed for that particular day.

At the end of a session all business on the Notice Paper lapses and the next session (or Assembly) starts with a 'clean sheet'.

Contingent Notices of Motion
On occasions Members may, by virtue of a contingent notice circumvent the requirement for twenty-four hours notice or in the case of urgent necessity for motions without notice, move for the suspension of Standing Orders requiring an absolute majority of members voting.

General Business Days
As described above once every twelve sitting days, or earlier if nominated by the Chief Minister or another Minister acting on his behalf, precedence of General Business over Government Business is accorded after the Assembly first considers routine business, which each day proceeds in the following order:

1. Petitions
2. Notices
3. Ministerial Reports
4. Notices and Orders of the Day
5. Questions
6. Notices and Orders of the Day
7. Papers
8. Ministerial Statements
9. Discussions pursuant to Standing Order 94 (MPI)

Apart from General Business Days, other avenues available to Private Members to raise matters are, Questions Without Notice, Written Questions, MPIs and debates on the motion for the Adjournment of the Assembly and debates on the annual Appropriation Bill. An early opportunity is provided by the debate on the Address-in-Reply to the speech by the Administrator. Relevant Standing Orders and a sample of the Notice Paper are at Appendix A and B.

October 2001

APPENDIX A

STANDING ORDERS CHAPTER XI

NOTICES OF MOTION

STANDING ORDERS CHAPTER XV

ORDERS OF THE DAY

APPENDIX A

Chapter Xl

NOTICES OF MOTION

101. NOTICES GIVEN
A notice of motion may be given by a Member stating its terms to the Assembly when notices are called for, and delivering to the Clerk a copy of the motion signed by himself and showing the day proposed for moving the motion.
102. GIVEN BY PROXY
A Member, in the absence of another Member and at his request, may give a notice of motion for that other Member and shall put the name of such Member and his own signature on the notice.
103. AMENDMENT
After a notice of motion has been given, the terms thereof may be altered by the Member notifying the Assembly and delivering to the Clerk an amended notice, either on the same day or any day prior to that for proceeding with the motion, or he may withdraw the same by notifying the Assembly.
104. ORDER ON NOTICE PAPER
Notices shall be entered by the Clerk on the Notice Paper in the order in which they were delivered at the Table. A Member, except a Minister, may not give 2 notices consecutively if another Member has any notice to give.
105. DIVIDING INTO PARTS
If a notice of motion is given which contains matters not relevant to each other, the Speaker may instruct the Clerk to divide such notice into 2 or more notices.
106. NOT TO OFFEND AGAINST STANDING ORDERS
Any notice of motion containing unbecoming expressions, or which offends against any Standing Order, shall be amended by the Speaker before it appears upon the Notice Paper and, if necessary, the Speaker may determine that any such notice shall not be placed upon the Notice Paper.
107. CHANGE OF DAY FOR MOVING
A Member who has given notice of a motion may change the day proposed for moving the motion to a day subsequent to that first named by notifying the Clerk in writing prior to the calling on of the motion. The change of day shall be reported to the Assembly by the Clerk at the first convenient opportunity.
108. EFFECT OF NOTICE
With the exception of a notice of a motion given and accepted by a Minister pursuant to Standing Order 95, no notice or contingent notice shall have effect for the day on which it is given.

APPENDIX A

Chapter XV

ORDERS OF THE DAY

152. DEFINITION
An order of the day is a bill or other matter which the Assembly has ordered to be taken into consideration on a particular day.
153. PRECEDENCE AND POSTPONEMENT
Orders of the day shall have precedence of each other according to the order in which they appear on the Notice Paper. An order of the day may be postponed on motion without notice moved by the Member in charge thereof, or, in his absence, by another Member at his request.
154. NOT CALLED ON
If, at the adjournment of the Assembly, any orders of the day on the Notice Paper have not been called on, such orders of the day shall be set down on the Notice Paper for the next sitting day.
155. DISCHARGE
An order of the day may be discharged by resolution of the Assembly.

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APPENDIX B

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

NOTICE PAPER

No. 113
_________________________________________
Tuesday 3 July 2001
the Assembly meets this day at 10.00 am
___________________

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Orders of the Day

1.Mining Management Bill 2001 (Serial 301) and Mining Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 302) (Mr Manzie): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 1 March 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*2. Juvenile Justice Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 323) (Mr Manzie): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 7th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*3. Prisons (Correctional Services) Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 336) (Mr Manzie):: Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 7th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*4. Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 325) Mr Baldwin: Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 7th June 2001 - Ms Martin).
5. Fisheries Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 289) (Mr Palmer): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 27 February 2001 - Dr Toyne).
6. Merlin Project Agreement Amendment (Mr Manzie): Motion to note statement and Paper - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 29 May 2001 - Mr Ah Kit).
*7. Domestic Violence Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 320); and Bail Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 321) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 5th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*8. Justices Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 303) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 5th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*9. Debits Tax Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 314); Pay-roll Tax Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 315); Stamp Duty Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 316); Taxation (Administration) Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 317) (Mr Reed): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 5th June 2001 - Ms Martin).
*10. First Home Owner Grant Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 318) (Mr Reed): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mr Toyne).
*11. Electricity Reform Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 310); Utilities Commission Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 311); Water Supply and Sewerage Services Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 312) and Electricity Networks (Third Party Access) Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 313) (Mr Reed): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mr Toyne).
*12. Public Order and Anti-social Conduct Bill 2001 (Serial 335) Mr Reed: Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 7th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
13. Fines and Penalties Bill 2000 (Serial 287) and Fines and Penalties (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2000 (Serial 288) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 30 November 2000 - Mr Henderson).
*14. Evidence Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 306); and Sexual Offences (Evidence and Procedure) Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial307)(Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 5th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*15. Sentencing Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 304) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 5th June 2001 - Mr Stirling).
*16. Weapons Control Bill 2001 (Serial 324) (Mr Reed): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mr Toyne).
*17. Telecommunications (Interception) Northern Territory Bill 2001 (Serial 326) (Mr Reed): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mrs Hickey).
*18. Summary Offences Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 309) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mrs Hickey).
*19. Sentencing Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2001 (Serial 322) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mrs Hickey).
*20. Criminal Code Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 327) and Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill (No. 2) (Serial 328) (Mr Burke): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 6th June 2001 - Mrs Hickey).
21. Northern Territory Road Safety Strategy 2001-2003 - Report (Mr Palmer): Motion to note statement and Paper - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 31 May 2001 - Mr Ah Kit).
22. Discussion Paper, Commercial Tenancies Legislation, August 2000 (Mr Baldwin): Motion to note Paper and Statement - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 15 August 2000 - Ms Martin).
23. Residential Building Indemnity Scheme, Discussion Paper (Mr Baldwin): Motion to note Paper and Statement - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 15 August 2000 - Ms Martin).
24. Achieving the Vision, Central Planning for Darwin - Statement (Mr Burke): Motion to note Statement - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 18 August 1999 - Mr Reed in continuation).
25. Pastoral Land Amendment Bill 1997 (Serial 37) (Mr Palmer): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 3 December 1997 - Mr Stirling).
26. Remuneration, Salary and Allowances of Judges and Magistrates - Papers: Resumption of debate on the motion - That the Assembly take note of the Papers. (Adjourned 11 October 2000 - Mr Burke in continuation).

GENERAL BUSINESS

Order of the Day

1. Local Government Amendment Bill 2001 (Serial 294) (Mrs Braham): Second reading - Resumption of debate. (Adjourned 21 February 2001 - Dr Lim)

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**Amendment schedules pending
* Second reading subject to Standing Order 178
# Declared an urgent Bill pursuant to Standing Order 179
+ Standing Orders suspended
^ Proposed cognate Bills

IAN McNEILL
Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES
Mr P A Mitchell

DEPUTY CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEES
Mr S J Balch, Ms S J Carter, Mr J W Elferink, Mr T K Mills,
Honourable E H Poole

COMMITTEES
Standing - Pursuant to Standing Orders

House
Mr Speaker (Chairman), Mr J L Ah Kit, Mr P A Mitchell, Mr S J Balch, Mrs M A Hickey.

Privileges
Hon M J Palmer, (Chairman), Dr P H Toyne, Mr T K Mills, Mr S J Stirling, Hon E H Poole.

Public Accounts
Honourable E H Poole (Chairman), Mr J W Elferink, Mr Henderson, Mr T K Mills,
Dr P H Toyne.

Standing Orders
Mr Speaker (Chairman), Mr J L Ah Kit, Mr S J Balch, Hon M J Palmer, Mr S J Stirling.

Subordinate Legislation and Publications
Mr S J Balch (Chairman), Mr J W Elferink, Mrs M A Hickey, Mr M Rioli, Mr P A Mitchell.

Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Mr S P Hatton (Chairman), Mr J W Elferink, Mrs M A Hickey, Mr T K Mills, Ms S J Carter (Alternate Member), Mr S J Stirling (Alternate Member), Dr P H Toyne (Alternate Member).

Sessional Committee

Environment
Ms S J Carter (Chairman), Mr J L Ah Kit, , Mr P A Mitchell, Mr T K Mills, Mr M J Rioli.