What happens if Federal MP's disagree with the Speaker's ruling?

The President of the Senate sits in a large red chair. In front of her, the Clerks sit at a table with books on it.

The President of the Senate.

David Foote/DPS Auspic

The President of the Senate.

The President of the Senate sits in a large red chair. In front of her, the Clerks sit at a table with books on it.

David Foote/DPS Auspic

Description

The President of the Senate sits in a large red chair. There is another chair to the right. In front of the President, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk sit at a table with books on it.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.

Thanks for your question, Jessica. If a member of parliament disagrees with a ruling made by the Presiding Officer (Speaker in the House of Representatives or the President in the Senate), they can move a motion of dissent – disagreement – to be voted on all the members. Alternatively, a member of parliament can move a motion of no confidence in the Presiding Officer. Motions of these types are very unusual.

If a member of parliament disagrees with something that has happened, they can call a 'point of order'. This means drawing a specific standing order – rule – to the attention of the Presiding Officer (or their deputy), who runs the meeting. The Presiding Officer then has to interpret the point of order and decide if it is valid. The Clerk sometimes assists with this because they have a detailed knowledge of the standing orders.