Parliamentary Decorum

Appropriateness and propriety of behaviour, conduct or appearance.

 Agenda

 Rules For Speeches.

 Interruptions
 Content of Speeches:
- Allotted time for speeches
- Procedure for time
- Unparliamentary Language
 Dresscode
 Questions
 Activity
What is parliamentary decorum?

 Decorum in simple terms is the propriety of manner or conduct.

 Therefore Parliamentary Decorum is basically how you behave and conduct yourself
during parliament.
 It includes suitableness of speech, behaviour and dress code.
RULES FOR SPEECHES
Rules For Speeches

1. Any member may bring a motion or resolution for the consideration of the house.
2. Only one member may be standing or speak at any given time 
 except where a member is standing, waiting to be acknowledged for an interruption –
and when the member interrupting has been acknowledged, the member then speaking
will take his/her seat
3. A member may only speak once on any question PROPOSED to the house.
 Except that the member moving the motion has a right to reply to/conclude the debate
before the question IS put.
 Except that in committee members may speak more than once
Rules For Speeches cont’d

4. After the mover of the motion has replied, no other member may speak (including members
who have not previously spoken on the motion).

 Except a government minister in the case of motions moved by the opposition

5. Members may not read their speeches, but may refer to notes

6. Members must stand to deliver their speech (unless otherwise incapacitated in which case
they must request permission from The (Deputy) Speaker/President to remain seated)
7. Members may not read quotes without permission and may not quote from the news media.

 Except that, members do not require permission to quote from the bill or resolution
being discussed

8. Members may not speak on any matter that has been decided on by vote in the house or
which has been ruled on by The (Deputy) Speaker/President 
9. Speeches may not contain matters that refer to any matter that is sub judice

10. Speeches may not contain matters that refer negatively to persons who are not members of
the House, and who therefore have no opportunity to reply.

11. Speeches may not contain any offensive or insulting language

12. Members may not impute improper motives to other members

13. The names and conduct of the members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, any
Public Official, Members of the Judiciary, The Governor General, The Monarch, and members
of the Royal family may not be directly or indirectly mentioned in the youth parliament.

14. The contents of speeches must be relevant to the question PROPOSED to the House at the
time.
15. Members who are not speaking:
 Shall avoid unnecessarily entering and leaving the chamber
 Shall enter and leave the chamber with decorum including bowing to the chair
 Avoid any noise or visual distractions
 Avoid leaving or entering during another member’s presentation
 Shall not read books, newspapers or any material that is not related to the business of the house
 Shall minimize use of any wireless communication devices using such only in a discreet
manner so as not to cause disruption
 Maintain silence while other members are speaking, but shall show support by knocking the
table
Interruptions
 Interruptions

 Interruptions are governed by Senate standing order 35 and House of Representatives

standing order 37. 

 Members should not be interrupted if the matter can properly be raised and addressed in-
between speeches

 Members should only be interrupted in the case of matters that directly relate to their
speech.

 The member’s time is paused during interruptions

1. Point of Order

 A point of order is only used for breaches of the rules and procedures of the House and the
person interrupting on a point of order must indicate which rule of the house has been
broken.

 The member then in possession of the house must yield the floor for consideration of the
point of order.

 If a member appears to be in breach of the rules of the house, any member (including
members who have previously spoken) may rise, wait to be acknowledged, and then
indicate: “Madam or Mr (Deputy) Speaker/President, I rise on a point of order”
Point of Order Cont’d

 The (Deputy) Speaker/President will ask them “What is the point of order?”

  The member will briefly explain which rule of the house was broken then take his/her
seat.

 The (Deputy) Speaker/President will then rule on the point of order, he/she may invite a
response from the person accused of breaching the rule. 

 The (Deputy) Speaker/President’s ruling is final and not subject to appeal or vote.
 Point of Order

Video : What is a Point of Order? - YouTube

2. Point of Clarification

 Point of Clarification is used to preserve the integrity of the public record of the
proceedings of the house by clarifying any misinformation in the house. 

 The person interrupting must provide the clarification to the house. A point of clarification
is not an opportunity to ask questions or debate.

 In accordance with standing orders 37b of the House of Representatives and 35b of the
Senate; The member then in possession of the house may yield the floor for consideration
of the point of clarification. 
 The (Deputy) Speaker/President must first ascertain whether the member on the floor is
willing to yield the floor before he/she entertains any point of clarification. 
Point of Clarity Cont’d

 If a member believes that the house is being misled (for example he/she is being misquoted
or a key statement of fact is being misstated) and he/she is well placed to provide the
corrected information, he/she may rise, wait to be acknowledged, then indicate:
“Mr/Madam (Deputy) Speaker/President, I rise on a point of clarification”

 The chair must, at this point, inquire whether the member who was speaking has agreed to
yield the floor.

 If the member who is in possession of the house does not agree to yield the floor, then the
point of clarification cannot be entertained.
Point of Clarity Cont’d

 If the member who is in possession of the House agrees to yield the floor, The (Deputy)
Speaker/President will ask the member seeking to interrupt: “What is the point of
clarification?” 

The member interrupting will now briefly explain the reason for his/her interruption,
provide clarifications and corrections (including sources), and then take his/her seat.

The (Deputy) Speaker/President may then ask the member who was interrupted to resume
his/her speech or provide comment on the clarification as might be appropriate. 
Point of Clarity Cont’d

 Given that a point of clarification does not presume that any rule has been broken, there is
no need for The (Deputy) Speaker/President to provide a ruling. 

 However, in order to preserve the integrity of the public record, The (Deputy)
Speaker/President may ask the member who was interrupted to accept the clarification and
withdraw the previous statement that was made in error.
Point of Clarification

 Video: (493) Malema

seeks clarity on how many EFF members were funded by CR17 - YouTube
ALOTTED TIME FOR SPEECHES
 Time for Speeches

 The mover of a motion, resolution, or bill: 10-12 minutes

 The opposition responder: 10-12 minutes

 All other speakers: 5-7 minutes

Procedure for Time

 The warning bell will go at the 10-minute mark (for the those given 12 minutes to speak)
and at the 5-minute mark (for those given 7 minutes to speak)

 Members may ignore this warning bell and continue speaking

Procedure for Time

 A final bell will go 1 minute later (11th and 6th minute respectively). This bell indicates that the
member’s time is up, and he/she should stop speaking.

 Members may request additional time (if needed) whereupon The (Deputy) Speaker/President may, at
his/her discretion give up to 1 minute extra.

 No person may speak for more than 12 minutes or more than 7 minutes (including any extra time
given)

 The (Deputy) Speaker/President will exercise greater time generosity to opposition members in
consideration of the fact that they have no right of reply at the end of the debate.
Unparliamentary Language

 In your Speeches you must:

 Use standard English as speech content unless you are quoting or wants to effective bring
across a point in colloquial language.
 Not use of offensive or explicit languages.
 Not directly address any other member during your speech.
DRESS CODE FOR PARLIAMENT
Dress code for Parliament

 All members should wear null colours.

 Ladies should where their hats and fascinators.
 Ladies dresses or skirts should be measured at least one inch under their knees.
 Members should not wear any big or distracting jewelry.
 Men wear jackets or suits.
Questions?