Standing Orders

The final thing Parliament did before adjourning was agree rules changes for the next Parliament. We discuss them with senior clerks David Wilson and Gabor Hellyer. Audio

Before Parliament adjourned it agreed new rules for next time. In discussing them MPs gave glimpses into the rules they would like to change and the Parliament they wished existed. Audio

Parliament Journalist Phil Smith has a crack at making a submission to MPs. Here is why you should bother, how you do it, how you really shouldn't, and how his went. Audio

Every three years senior MPs meet to reimagine Parliament, considering which rule changes might strengthen representative democracy and executive oversight. Audio

Question Time works best if the MPs ask tight, non-political questions. Straight questions are more likely to get straight answers, so they’re kept as tight as possible but not always by choice. Audio

The unintended consequences of one MP's early retirement with a bad day for the MP, who in the subsequent reshuffle, is allocated the debating chamber's 'Chair of Doom'. Audio

Parliament’s Speaker doesn’t want to stifle MPs’ free speech, instead he’s deputising all MPs to call out bigotry when they hear it. Audio

Parliament has agreed to the biggest shake-up of its rules since MMP, including changes to how it works, where and when it meets; even how it looks on TV.  Audio

Parliament’s select committees are surprisingly open and public, but when they go dark to work on outcomes they are meant to stay pitch black. Audio

Some days Parliament’s Question Time passes without incident. Some days less so. Last week was a smorgasbord of angst and fracas. We annotate a metaphysical exchange. Audio

A rundown on the key points up for debate in parliament this week Audio

There are lots of rules at Parliament. They are set in stone, and change frequently. Currently under review are the rules on video (and just possibly photography). Audio

Responsibility is a recurring issue during Parliament's Question Time. Ministers are responsible for their 'kingdoms', but exactly how responsible? Audio

The kerfuffle over Parliament video and advertising revolves around rule changes. When, how and for whose benefit do they change? It's a gamble but decisions made with self interest can be a…

Being an MP is not an easy job. Long hours, public rancour, being recognised at the supermarket, difficult grammar… sorry, what? Audio

The war of Parliament’s Question Time is measured out in daily skirmishes. A proxy campaign fought by a handful of combatants, over rules as much as policy. Audio

Oversight is one of Parliament’s main jobs. But looking forward is even harder. Audio

Parliament has lots of rules. Many are there to maintain 'reasonable order', which is a tough ask in a place built specially so people could disagree with each other vehemently. Audio

Sometimes the loudest fights are over the rules. To help you join in with the shouting we’ve compiled a bluffer’s guide to the ‘rules of the game’. Video