{"id":"alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-bylaws-1987","name":"ALICE SPRINGS (COUNCIL MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES) BY-LAWS 1987","slug":"alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174199,"registerId":"nt-alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-bylaws-1987-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"ALICE SPRINGS (COUNCIL MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES) BY-LAWS 1987","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nALICE SPRINGS (COUNCIL MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES)\nBY-LAWS 1987\nAs in force at 1 July 2008\nTable of provisions\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 1 Business\n3 Ordinary meetings ........................................................................... 1\n4 Order of business ............................................................................ 1\n5 Business paper ................................................................................ 1\n6 Notice of business to be given by member ...................................... 2\n7 Consideration of matter without notice ............................................ 2\n8 Mayoral minute ................................................................................ 2\n9 Petitions ........................................................................................... 3\n10 Deputation ....................................................................................... 3\nDivision 2 Motions\n11 Motions ............................................................................................ 4\n12 Unopposed notices of motion .......................................................... 4\n13 Motions not to be withdrawn ............................................................ 4\n14 Absence of mover of motion ............................................................ 4\n15 Motion to be seconded .................................................................... 5\n16 Motion and amendment to motion ................................................... 5\n17 Method of taking vote – divisions..................................................... 5\n18 Rescinding or altering resolutions.................................................... 6\n19 Procedural motions.......................................................................... 6\nDivision 3 Questions and discussions\n20 Questions ........................................................................................ 7\n21 Mayor to take precedence ............................................................... 8\n22 Mode of addressing members and officers ...................................... 8\n23 Limitation in relation to number of speeches ................................... 8\n24 Priority of speaking .......................................................................... 9\n25 Personal reflections on members or officers.................................... 9\n\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 ii\nDivision 4 Order and disorder\n26 Question of order ............................................................................. 9\n27 Disorder ......................................................................................... 10\n28 Motion, etc., to be rejected if out of order ...................................... 11\n28A Motion of dissent ........................................................................... 11\nDivision 5 Attendance and non-attendance\n29 Quorum not present ....................................................................... 11\nDivision 6 Media and public\n30 Attendance of public and media at meetings ................................. 12\n31 Removal of persons....................................................................... 12\n32 Public participation at meeting ....................................................... 12\nPart III Committees of council\n33 Conduct of meetings...................................................................... 12\n34 Disorder in committee .................................................................... 12\n35 Reports by committees .................................................................. 13\n35A Public participation at meeting of committee ................................. 13\nPart IV Miscellaneous\n36 Dispensing with requirement of By-laws ........................................ 13\n37 Mode of proceeding in cases not provided for ............................... 13\n38 Offences ........................................................................................ 13\nENDNOTES\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 1 July 2008\n____________________\nALICE SPRINGS (COUNCIL MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES)\nBY-LAWS 1987\nBy-laws under the Local Government Act 2008\nPart I Preliminary\n1 Short title\nThese By-laws may be cited as the Alice Springs (Council Meetings\nand Procedures) By-laws 1987.\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 1 Business\n3 Ordinary meetings\nAn ordinary meeting shall be held on such day and at such time in\neach month as the council from time to time determines by\nresolution.\n4 Order of business\n(1) Subject to these By-laws, the order of business at an ordinary\nmeeting shall be as the council from time to time determines by\nresolution.\n(2) Notwithstanding a determination under clause (1), the order of\nbusiness at an ordinary meeting may be altered for a particular\nmeeting where the members at that meeting pass a motion to that\neffect.\n(3) A motion under clause (2) may be moved without notice.\n5 Business paper\n(1) The clerk shall, as soon as practicable before each meeting of the\ncouncil, or within such time as the council determines by resolution,\nprepare or have prepared a business paper.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 1 Business\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 2\n(2) Copies of the business paper prepared under clause (1) shall be\nmade available to the members, and to the public at the council\noffice and at such other places as the council, by resolution\ndetermines, as soon as practicable before the meeting.\n(3) A business paper prepared under clause (1) shall contain:\n(a) business arising out of previous meetings of the council;\n(b) business which the mayor may wish to have considered at the\nmeeting without notice;\n(c) matters of which notice, in accordance with by-law 6, is given;\n(d) matters referred to the council by a standing committee;\n(e) officers' reports to the council referred to the meeting by the\nclerk; and\n(f) such other business as the council from time to time\ndetermines by resolution be contained in the business paper.\n6 Notice of business to be given by member\n(1) Subject to these By-laws, where a member wishes the council to\nconsider a matter at a meeting he shall give notice of the matter to\nthe clerk within such time before the meeting as the council from\ntime to time determines by resolution.\n(2) The Clerk shall, on receipt of a notice under clause (1), include in\nthe business paper prepared under by-law 5, details of the matter to\nwhich the notice relates.\n7 Consideration of matter without notice\nNotwithstanding by-law 6, a matter for which notice under that\nby-law has not been given may be considered at an ordinary\nmeeting where a motion is passed by the members at the meeting\npermitting it to be considered.\n8 Mayoral minute\nThe mayor may, by a minute signed by the mayor, introduce a\nmatter for consideration at an ordinary meeting, and the matter\ntakes precedence over all other matters for consideration at the\nmeeting.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 1 Business\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 3\n9 Petitions\n(1) A petition may be presented to a meeting of the council by a\nmember who, before presenting the petition, shall, as far as\npracticable, acquaint himself with the subject matter of the petition.\n(2) A member on presenting a petition to a meeting of the council shall:\n(a) state the nature and prayer of the petition; and\n(b) read the petition.\n(3) A petition shall not be presented to a meeting of the council unless\nit is worded in respectful language.\n(4) Where, under this by-law, a member presents a petition to a\nmeeting of the council no debate on or in relation to it shall be\nallowed and the only motion which may be moved is:\n(a) that the petition be received and consideration stand as an\norder of the day for the meeting or for a future meeting; or\n(b) that the petition be received and referred to a committee or\nofficer for consideration and a report to the council.\n10 Deputation\n(1) For the purposes of this by-law, a deputation means a group of\npersons consisting of not less than 2 persons.\n(2) A deputation wishing to attend and be heard at a meeting of the\ncouncil shall, not less than 7 clear days before the meeting, apply in\nwriting to the clerk.\n(3) The clerk, on receiving an application under clause (2), shall notify\nthe mayor of the application and the mayor shall determine whether\nthe deputation may be heard and shall notify the clerk accordingly.\n(4) Where the clerk is notified by the mayor under clause (3) he shall:\n(a) inform the deputation of the determination of the mayor; and\n(b) where the mayor has determined to hear the deputation,\narrange a convenient time for the deputation to be heard at a\nmeeting of the council.\n(5) Only one person representing the deputation will ordinarily be heard\nat a meeting of the council unless:\n(a) the mayor permits other persons in the group comprising the\ndeputation to be heard; and\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 2 Motions\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 4\n(b) there is no objection by a member present at the meeting to\nother persons in the group being heard.\n(6) A person in a deputation at a meeting of the council shall be\ntemperate in his speech and manner, and shall not use insulting or\noffensive language.\n(7) Subject to clause (8), a deputation attending at a meeting of the\ncouncil in accordance with this by-law shall be given adequate\nopportunity and facility to explain the purpose of the deputation.\n(8) Notwithstanding clause (7), the mayor may terminate an address by\na person in a deputation at any time where he is satisfied that the\npurpose of the deputation has been sufficiently explained to the\nmembers at the meeting.\nDivision 2 Motions\n11 Motions\nA motion brought before a meeting of the council in accordance\nwith the Act or these By-laws shall be received and put to the\nmeeting by the mayor.\n12 Unopposed notices of motion\nAt a meeting of the council the mayor may call over the notices of\nmotion in the order in which they appear on the business paper,\nand where no objection is taken to a motion being taken as a formal\nmotion he may, without discussion, put the motion to the vote.\n13 Motions not to be withdrawn\nExcept with the consent of a majority of the members at a meeting\nof the council, a motion may not be withdrawn after being placed on\nthe business paper prepared for that meeting.\n14 Absence of mover of motion\nWhere a member who has given notice of a motion under by-law 6\nis absent from the meeting of the council at which the motion is to\nbe considered, the motion may be:\n(a) moved by another member at the meeting; or\n(b) deferred to the next ordinary meeting.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 2 Motions\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 5\n15 Motion to be seconded\n(1) Subject to clause (2), a motion or an amendment to a motion shall\nnot be debated at a meeting of the council unless or until the motion\nor the amendment, as the case may be, is seconded.\n(2) Notwithstanding clause (1), a member who moves a motion or an\namendment to a motion may speak in support of that motion or that\namendment, as the case may be, before it is seconded or may\nreserve the right to speak to it immediately after it has been\nseconded.\n(3) A member who seconds a motion or an amendment to a motion\nmay, if the mover has reserved the right to speak to the motion or\namendment immediately after it has been seconded, reserve the\nright to speak in support of his or her seconding immediately after\nthe mover has finished speaking for the first time.\n16 Motion and amendment to motion\nAt a meeting of the council, a member shall not put more than one\nmotion or one amendment to the motion at any one time.\n17 Method of taking vote – divisions\n(1) A motion or amendment to a motion shall be moved and seconded\nby members present at the meeting at which the motion or\namendment is considered before the motion or amendment is put to\nthe vote.\n(2) The mayor shall call:\n(a) firstly, for votes for the motion or amendment to the motion;\nand\n(b) secondly, for votes against the motion or amendment to the\nmotion,\nand may do so as often as the mayor considers it necessary to\nenable him or her to form and declare an opinion as to whether\nthere is a majority of affirmative or negative votes.\n(3) A member present and voting may request that his or her name be\nrecorded in the minutes as having voted for or against a motion or\namendment to the motion, and the clerk shall comply with the\nrequest.\n(4) A member may, immediately after a vote on a motion or an\namendment to a motion has been taken, call for a division in\nrespect of the voting.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 2 Motions\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 6\n(5) Where a division is called under clause (4), the members who voted\nin the affirmative when the vote was taken shall stand in their\nplaces and the clerk shall record their names in the minutes of the\nmeeting.\n(6) Where a division is called under clause (4), it shall not operate to\nvary the result of a vote taken by a show of hands.\n18 Rescinding or altering resolutions\n(1) A resolution of the council passed at a meeting may not be altered\nor rescinded unless a notice of motion to alter or rescind the\nresolution is given in accordance with this by-law or the alteration or\nrecission is on the recommendation of a standing committee of the\ncouncil.\n(2) A notice of motion referred to in clause (1) shall:\n(a) be in writing and signed by the member proposing the motion;\n(b) have the name of the seconder of the motion endorsed on it;\nand\n(c) be given to the clerk not less than 7 days before the meeting\nof the council at which the motion is to be put.\n(3) Where at a meeting of the council a notice of motion to rescind a\nresolution of the council is given in respect of a resolution passed at\nthe meeting, the resolution shall not be carried into effect until after\nthe motion is put and lost.\n(4) Where a motion, of which notice under clause (1) is given, is lost, a\nmotion to the same or like effect may not be moved until after the\nexpiration of 3 months after the date on which the first-mentioned\nmotion was lost.\n(5) This by-law does not apply to a motion referred to in by-law 19.\n19 Procedural motions\n(1) Subject to this by-law, a member at a meeting of the council may,\nduring the debate of a matter at the meeting, move, as a procedural\nmotion, that:\n(a) the question be put;\n(b) the debate be adjourned;\n(c) the meeting proceed to the next item of business;\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 3 Questions and discussions\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 7\n(d) the meeting stands adjourned;\n(e) the meeting be closed; or\n(f) the question lie on the table.\n(2) A procedural motion may be moved under clause (1) at the\nconclusion of a speaker's time, and the mayor shall, on the motion\nbeing moved, immediately put the motion without permitting debate\non, or the need for a seconder of, the motion.\n(3) Where a procedural motion moved under clause (1) is lost, the\nmember who moved the motion may not, until after the expiration of\n30 minutes after that motion was put, move a similar motion.\n(4) Where a procedural motion moved under clause (1), that the\nmeeting stands adjourned, is lost, the business of the meeting shall\ncontinue and the same procedural motion may not be moved until\nafter the expiration of 30 minutes after that motion was put.\n(5) The procedural motion, that the question be put, may be moved\nunder clause (1), where:\n(a) no other member at the meeting wishes to speak to the motion\nbefore the meeting or any amendment to it; or\n(b) not less than 2 members at the meeting have spoken for and\nnot less than 2 members at the meeting have spoken against\nthe motion before the meeting or any amendment to it and the\nprocedural motion is moved by a member who has not spoken\nin the debate of the motion or any amendment to it.\n(6) Where a motion put under clause (5) is:\n(a) carried, the mayor shall immediately put the question to the\nmotion or the amendment to it, as the case may be; or\n(b) lost, debate on the motion or the amendment to it, as the case\nmay be, shall continue.\nDivision 3 Questions and discussions\n20 Questions\n(1) Subject to this by-law, a member may at a meeting of the council\nask a question for reply by another member or an officer.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 3 Questions and discussions\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 8\n(2) Such notice of a question under clause (1), as the mayor\ndetermines, shall be given to the member or officer to whom it is\ndirected to permit consideration of a reply and, if necessary,\nreference to other persons or documents.\n(3) A question under clause (1) shall be asked categorically and\nwithout argument and no discussion shall be permitted at the\nmeeting of the council in relation to a reply or a refusal to reply to\nthe question.\n21 Mayor to take precedence\nThe mayor may, at any time during the debate of a matter at a\nmeeting of the council, indicate his intention to speak and, on so\ndoing, a member speaking or proposing to speak to the debate\nshall cease speaking and remain silent, or refrain from speaking, as\nthe case may be, until the mayor has been heard.\n22 Mode of addressing members and officers\nA member shall, at all times during a meeting of the council,\naddress and refer to another member or an officer by his official title\nor designation.\n23 Limitation in relation to number of speeches\n(1) Subject to these By-laws, a member who moves a motion may:\n(a) speak to the motion;\n(b) speak to a proposed amendment to the motion;\n(c) speak in reply to an amendment to the motion;\n(d) reply to a question asked, or provide an explanation, relative\nto the motion; and\n(e) speak in reply to the substantive motion, as amended.\n(1A) After the member has replied to a substantive motion, as amended,\nexcept to ask questions seeking clarification of the content or\nwording of the substantive motion, a member may not speak to the\nmotion or amendment.\n(1B) Subject to these By-laws, a member who moves an amendment to\na motion may:\n(a) speak to the amendment;\n(b) speak to an amendment subsequently proposed; and\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 4 Order and disorder\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 9\n(c) reply to a question asked, or provide an explanation, relative\nto the amendment.\n(2) Subject to this by-law, a member at a meeting of the council, not\nbeing a member who moves a motion, has a right to speak once to\nthe motion and to any amendment proposed to it.\n(3) Subject to clause (4), a member at a meeting of the council may not\nspeak:\n(a) more than once; or\n(b) for more than 5 minutes,\non a motion or amendment to a motion before the meeting.\n(4) Notwithstanding clause (3), where:\n(a) the members present at a meeting of the council consent, a\nmember's time to speak on a question before the meeting may\nbe extended for a further period, of not more than 5 minutes,\nas is determined by those members; or\n(b) a member considers that he has been misrepresented or\nmisunderstood, the member may answer, without further\nobservation than is necessary, the misrepresentation or\nmisunderstanding.\n24 Priority of speaking\nWhere 2 or more members at a meeting of the council signify their\nintention to speak at the same time the mayor shall decide which\nmember shall be heard first.\n25 Personal reflections on members or officers\nA member speaking at a meeting of the council shall not make a\npersonal reflection on, or impute an improper motive to, another\nmember or an officer.\nDivision 4 Order and disorder\n26 Question of order\n(1) For the purposes of this by-law, a member is guilty of an act of\ndisorder if, at a meeting of the council, he:\n(a) is in breach of the Act or these By-laws;\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 4 Order and disorder\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 10\n(b) uses language which, according to common usage, would be\nconsidered disorderly;\n(c) uses an expression or mode of behaviour that is inconsistent\nwith good order or decorum; or\n(d) says or does anything calculated to bring the council into\ncontempt.\n(2) The mayor at a meeting of the council may, with or without the\nintervention of another member at the meeting, call a member at\nthe meeting to order where he considers the member is out of\norder.\n(3) A member at a meeting of the council may raise a question of order\nwith the mayor where he considers that another member at the\nmeeting is:\n(a) guilty of an act of disorder; or\n(b) out of order.\n(4) Where, under clause (3), a question of order is raised, the mayor\nshall rule on the question but may, before ruling, seek the opinions\nof the other members at the meeting on the question.\n(5) A ruling of the mayor made under clause (4) shall be obeyed except\nwhere a motion of dissent is subsequently passed in respect of the\nruling\n(6) A member who, under clause (4), is ruled to be out of order more\nthan once at a meeting of the council is guilty of an offence.\n(7) Where the mayor, under clause (4), rules a member is guilty of an\nact of disorder, he may request the member to leave the place\nwhere the meeting of the council is taking place for the remainder of\nthe meeting and to apologize, without reservation, to the members\nat the meeting.\n27 Disorder\n(1) The mayor may, where disorder arises at a meeting of the council,\nadjourn the meeting for 15 minutes and quit the chair.\n(2) Where, under clause (1), a meeting is adjourned, the mayor shall,\non resumption of the meeting, move a motion, which shall be put\nwithout debate, to determine whether the meeting shall proceed.\n(3) Where a motion under clause (2) is lost, the mayor shall declare the\nmeeting closed.\n\nPart II Meetings of council\nDivision 5 Attendance and non-attendance\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 11\n28 Motion, etc., to be rejected if out of order\nA motion or an amendment to a motion, or a matter before a\nmeeting of the council, which is determined by the council to be out\nof order shall be rejected.\n28A Motion of dissent\n(1) A member at a meeting of the council may, without notice, move a\nmotion of dissent in relation to a ruling by the mayor on a point of\norder.\n(2) Where, under clause (1), a motion is moved, further consideration\nof the matter in relation to which the ruling of the mayor was made\nshall be suspended until after the motion is put.\n(3) Where a motion moved under clause (1) is carried, the matter in\nrelation to which the ruling of the mayor was made shall:\n(a) proceed as if the ruling had not been made; or\n(b) where, as a result of the ruling the matter was discharged as\nout of order, be restored to the business paper and be dealt\nwith in the normal course of business.\nDivision 5 Attendance and non-attendance\n29 Quorum not present\n(1) Where a meeting of the council is postponed, that fact, together\nwith the names of the members present at that time, shall be\nrecorded in the minutes kept by the council.\n(2) Where at a meeting of the council, a quorum of members is not\npresent, the mayor shall suspend the meeting for a period of\n3 minutes and, if at the expiration of that period, a quorum of\nmembers is not present, the names of the members present at that\ntime shall be recorded in the minutes kept by the council, and the\nmayor shall adjourn the meeting to a later hour or to another day,\nas he thinks fit.\n(3) For the purposes of this by-law, a member is present at a meeting\nof the council if he is in the room in which the meeting is taking, or\nis to take, place and seated at the place allocated to him for the\nmeeting.\n\nPart III Committees of council\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 12\nDivision 6 Media and public\n30 Attendance of public and media at meetings\n(1) At a meeting of the council an area at the place where the meeting\nis to be held shall be made available for members of the public to\nattend the meeting and as many members of the public as\nreasonably can be accommodated in that area shall be permitted to\nattend the meeting.\n(2) At a meeting of the council reasonable facilities shall be made\navailable to media personnel for the purpose of reporting on the\nmeeting.\n31 Removal of persons\n(1) A person, other than a member, who interrupts the orderly conduct\nof a meeting of the council shall, on being requested to do so by the\nmayor, immediately leave the place where the meeting is being\nheld.\n(2) A person who fails to comply with a request of the mayor under\nclause (1) is guilty of an offence and may be removed, on the order\nof the mayor, from the place where the meeting is taking place with\nsuch force as is necessary.\n32 Public participation at meeting\nExcept when invited to do so by the council, or in accordance with\nby-law 10, a member of the public shall not take, or attempt to take\npart, in the proceeding of a meeting of the council.\nPart III Committees of council\n33 Conduct of meetings\nSubject to the Act, the procedures for the conduct of a meeting of a\ncommittee shall, except as otherwise provided by these By-laws, be\nas determined, from time to time, by the members of the committee.\n34 Disorder in committee\nBy-laws 26 and 27 apply to and in relation to a meeting of a\ncommittee as if the meeting was a meeting of the council and the\nchairman of the committee was the mayor.\n\nPart IV Miscellaneous\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 13\n35 Reports by committees\n(1) A report to the council by a committee shall be presented by the\nchairman of the committee or, in his absence, by such other\nmember of the committee as determined by the mayor.\n(2) Where distinct recommendations are made by a committee in a\nreport to the council the decision of the council in relation to each\nrecommendation may be taken separately.\n35A Public participation at meeting of committee\nA meeting of a committee is not open, and minutes of a meeting of\na committee are not available, to a member of the public except\nwhere the committee, or the council, by resolution, so orders.\nPart IV Miscellaneous\n36 Dispensing with requirement of By-laws\nThe members at a meeting of the council may, by resolution passed\nat that meeting, dispense with a requirement of these By-laws in or\nin relation to the conduct of that meeting.\n37 Mode of proceeding in cases not provided for\nWhere, at a meeting of the council or a committee, a matter arises\nwhich is not provided for, in part or in whole, by these By-laws, the\nmatter shall be dealt with in accordance with the procedures in the\nStanding Orders of the Legislative Assembly, so far as those orders\nare applicable.\n38 Offences\nA person shall not contravene or fail to comply with these By-laws.\nPenalty: $500.\n\nENDNOTES\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 14\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY\nKey to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws (SL No. 42, 1987)\nNotified 4 November 1987\nCommenced 4 November 1987\nAmendments of Alice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws (SL No. 26,\n1992)\nNotified 1 July 1992\nCommenced 1 July 1992\nAmendment of Alice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws (SL No. 1,\n1993)\nNotified 3 February 1993\nCommenced 3 February 1993\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2004 (Act No. 54, 2004)\nAssent date 15 September 2004\nCommenced 27 Oct 2004 (Gaz G43, 27 October 2004, p 3)\nLocal Government (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008 (Act No. 28, 2008)\nAssent date 14 November 2008\nCommenced 1 July 2008 (s 2)\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: bl 1.\n\nENDNOTES\nAlice Springs (Council Meetings and Procedures) By-laws 1987 15\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nbl 2 amd Act No. 54, 2004, s 8\nrep Act No. 28, 2008, s 4\nbl 8 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 2\nbl 10 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 3\nbl 15 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 4\nbl 16 – 17 sub No. 26, 1992, bl 5\nbl 18 amd No. 1, 1993\nbl 23 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 6\nbl 24 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 7\nbl 25 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 8\nbl 26 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 9\nbl 28 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 10\nbl 28A ins No. 26, 1992, bl 11\nbl 29 amd Act No. 28, 2008, s 4\nbl 31 amd No. 26, 1992, bl 12\nbl 33 amd Act No. 28, 2008, s 4\nbl 35A ins No. 26, 1992, bl 13\nbl 38 sub No. 26, 1992, bl 14","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the legislation appears to remain focused on its original purpose of governing council meeting procedures for Alice Springs. The split administrative responsibility between two agencies is consistent with distinct subject matter (general council procedures vs. electoral matters) that would have existed from the outset. No evidence of significant scope expansion or contraction is apparent from the metadata provided."},"complexity_factors":["Split administrative responsibility between two agencies (Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development for most provisions, NT Electoral Commission for Chapter 8) adds a layer of jurisdictional complexity","Procedural rules can be technical in nature, particularly around voting procedures and quorum requirements","The by-laws are subordinate legislation (made under a parent Act), meaning users may need to cross-reference the enabling Act to fully understand the legal framework","Multiple reprints over time (currently REPL018R13) suggest the rules have been amended several times, meaning older versions may cause confusion","Local government procedure law can involve specific terminology (quorum, casting vote, notice of motion) that requires explanation for lay readers"],"plain_english_summary":"The Alice Springs Council Meetings & Procedures By‑Laws 1987 set the rules for calling, conducting and recording town council meetings—who speaks, how votes are taken, behaviour standards and public participation. They affect councillors, council staff, meeting attendees and all residents whose lives are shaped by council decisions. Most chapters are managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development; Chapter 8 (electoral matters) is overseen by the NT Electoral Commission."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The by-laws have been amended several times since 1987, altering procedural detail and adding new rules. Notable changes include insertion of a motion of dissent and committee public‑access exceptions (by-law 28A and 35A inserted, 1992) and subsequent amendments recorded in the endnotes (1992, 1993, 2004, 2008), which adjust who decides procedural matters and how meetings and committees operate."},"complexity_factors":["Concentration of procedural discretion in office-holders — mayoral precedence, mayoral minute and deputation decisions give the mayor or clerk substantive control over who is heard and order of business (by-laws 8, 10, 21).","Detailed notice and agenda requirements create administrative steps and timing constraints for councillors and the public (business paper and notice provisions — by-laws 5, 6).","Structured motion and amendment regime with formal seconding, limits on withdrawal, and specific rules for rescinding resolutions (by-laws 11–19); includes cooling-off periods for lost motions (by-law 18(4)).","Procedural motions are tightly circumscribed (no debate, time limits and repetition limits) which affects tactical use during debates (by-law 19).","Speech limits, turn-taking and priority rules constrain members’ participation and can be varied only by member consent (by-law 23).","Voting mechanics and recording of votes, including divisions and name recording, add formality and administrative recording duties (by-law 17).","Order and discipline rules allow the mayor to call to order, remove persons and adjourn for disorder; non-compliance by public can attract penalties and forcible removal (by-laws 26, 27, 31).","Committee procedures include discretion to make committee meetings and minutes closed to the public, subject to resolution (by-laws 33, 35A), introducing variation between council and committee openness.","Offence and penalty provision imposes a monetary sanction for breaches, creating enforcement exposure for individuals (by-law 38).","Legislative history and multiple amendments increase interpretive complexity because provisions were inserted, substituted or repealed across 1992, 1993, 2004 and 2008 (Endnotes; List of Amendments)."],"plain_english_summary":"These by-laws set the detailed procedures for Alice Springs council meetings: when meetings occur, how agendas and notices work, how motions, debate and voting are conducted, rules for order and public/media attendance, committee reporting, and a $500 penalty for breaches. They affect councillors, the mayor, the clerk, council officers and members of the public who seek to petition, deputate or attend. The rules allocate practical decision‑making power to the mayor and clerk and impose notice, timing and speech constraints that create predictable compliance costs for participants."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose of regulating council meeting procedures. While it has been amended several times (notably in 1992 to add motions of dissent, public participation rules, and gender-neutral language; and in 2008 to update references to the Local Government Act), these amendments have refined and modernised the existing framework rather than expanding into new substantive areas. The scope remains procedural governance of municipal meetings."},"complexity_factors":["38 by-laws across 4 Parts with 6 Divisions, creating a moderately layered structure","Extensive cross-referencing between by-laws (e.g., by-law 34 applies by-laws 26-27 to committees by reference)","Multiple conditional exceptions: by-law 7 allows consideration without notice 'where a motion is passed', by-law 15(2) creates an exception to the seconder requirement, by-law 23(4) creates exceptions to speech limits","Nested procedural logic in by-law 19 (procedural motions) with specific timing restrictions (30-minute cooling-off periods) and preconditions (clause 5 requires specific speaking thresholds before 'question be put' can be moved)","Incorporation by reference to external Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly (by-law 37) for gaps in coverage","Some archaic language ('temperate in his speech', 'prayer of the petition') requiring interpretation","Penalty provision (by-law 38) is absolute ('A person shall not contravene') but the by-laws themselves contain many discretionary elements ('may', 'as the mayor determines')"],"plain_english_summary":"These are the **rules of engagement for Alice Springs Town Council meetings** — essentially the local government's 'standing orders' or playbook for how meetings must run.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Sets out **when and how** council meetings happen (ordinary meetings each month, business papers distributed beforehand)\n- Governs **how decisions are made** — motions need a mover and seconder, voting procedures, how to amend or rescind past decisions\n- Establishes **decorum rules** — no personal attacks, time limits on speeches (5 minutes), how to raise points of order, and what happens if someone causes disorder (they can be asked to leave)\n- Provides for **public participation** — petitions, deputations (groups of 2+ people who apply to speak), and public attendance at meetings\n- Covers **committee meetings** — allowing committees to set their own procedures but applying the same disorder rules\n- Includes **enforcement** — fines up to $500 for breaches\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Elected councillors** — must follow speaking rules, notice requirements, and voting procedures\n- **The Mayor** — has significant powers to control meetings, rule on order, and permit deputations\n- **Council staff (the Clerk)** — manages business papers, notices, and records\n- **The public** — can attend meetings, petition council, or request to speak as a deputation\n- **Media** — entitled to reasonable facilities to report on meetings\n\n**Why it matters:**\nWithout these rules, council meetings would be chaotic. The by-laws ensure **transparency** (public can attend), **accountability** (recorded votes, proper notice for decisions), and **orderly debate** (no filibustering, no personal attacks). They also protect minority rights by requiring notice to overturn past decisions and allowing recorded divisions (named votes) when requested.\n\n**Key quirks to note:**\n- The Mayor has a 'Mayoral Minute' allowing them to jump any item to the top of the agenda\n- There's a 'cooling off' period — if you lose a vote to rescind a resolution, you can't try again for 3 months\n- Committees can meet in secret unless the council specifically opens them to the public"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987","history":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987/history","analysis":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/alice-springs-council-meetings-and-procedures-by-laws-1987/documents"}}