Part 12DEBATE OF MOTIONS

PART 12—DEBATE OF MOTIONS 12.1 Order of call in debate The Presiding Member is to call speakers to a substantive motion in the following order— (a) the mover to state the motion; (b) a seconder to support the motion; (c) the mover to speak to the motion; (d) the seconder to speak to the motion; (e) a speaker against the motion; (f) a speaker for the motion; (g) other speakers against and for the motion, alternating where possible; and (h) the mover to exercise their right of reply which closes debate. 12.2 Seconding motions (1) A Member seconding a substantive motion has the right to speak once on the motion— (a) immediately after the mover of the motion has spoken; or (b) with the consent of the Presiding Member, at a later time in the debate. (2) If a motion would otherwise lapse under clause 11.1(1)(b), the Presiding Member may accept an offer from a Member to second the motion without speaking in support of it, in order for the motion to be debated. 12.3 Members to indicate their intention to speak A Member who wishes to speak is to indicate their intention to speak by raising their hand or by another method agreed by the Council. 12.4 Priority of speaking (1) When invited by the Presiding Member to speak, Members shall address the meeting through the Presiding Member.

2918 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WA 6 May 2022 (2) Where two or more Members indicate, at the same time, their intention to speak, the Presiding Member is to decide which Member is entitled to be heard first. (3) A decision of the Presiding Member under subclause (2) is not open to discussion or dissent. 12.5 Debate may be limited The Presiding Member may offer the right of reply and put a substantive motion to the vote if they believe that sufficient discussion has taken place even though all Members may not have spoken. 12.6 Member may require the motion to be read A Member may require the motion or matter under discussion to be read at any time during a debate, but not so as to interrupt any other Member who is speaking. 12.7 Consent of seconder required for alteration The mover of a substantive motion may not alter the wording of the motion without the consent of the seconder. 12.8 Who may speak on an amendment Any Member including the mover of the substantive motion may speak during debate on an amendment. 12.9 Right of reply (1) The mover of a substantive motion or an amendment has the right of reply prior to the Presiding Member putting the motion or the amendment to the vote. (2) The right of reply is confined to rebutting arguments raised by previous speakers and no new matter is to be introduced. (3) Once the right of reply has been exercised, there shall be no further discussion on the motion. (4) When all amendments have been dealt with and the mover of the original motion has exercised their right of reply, the original motion or the original motion as amended is immediately to be put to the vote. 12.10 Personal explanation (1) A Council or a committee member wishing to make a personal explanation of matters referred to by any Council or committee member who is then speaking, is entitled to be heard— (a) immediately, if the Council or committee member then speaking consents at the time, or (b) at the conclusion of the speech if the Council or committee member who is speaking declines to give way. (2) A personal explanation is to be concise, factual, directly relevant to the perceived misunderstanding and for a period of no more than 3 minutes. (3) A Member making a personal explanation is not to seek to strengthen their former argument by introducing new matter, by replying to other Members or by making adverse reflection on any person. 12.11 Limitation on Members speaking (1) A Member is not to address the Council more than once on any motion or amendment except— (a) as the mover of a motion, to exercise a right of reply; or (b) to raise a point of order; or (c) to make a personal explanation; or (d) subject to clause 10.3, to ask a question. (2) A Member may speak on a motion or amendment, or exercise their right of reply, for a period not exceeding 5 minutes, unless an extension of time of up to 5 minutes is granted by the Council without debate, but a Member’s total speaking time must not exceed 10 minutes. (3) When a Member’s allotted speaking time has expired, they must immediately cease speaking. (4) A Member is not to speak on any motion or amendment— (a) after the mover has exercised their right of reply; or (b) after the question has been put.