Legislative Council Standing Orders

The Standing Orders of the Legislative Council were adopted by resolution of 14 September 2006, and became operational from 19 December 2006, with all previous standing orders being repealed from that date. Amendments were made to the Standing Orders on 6 October 2010.

The Joint Standing Orders and Joint Rules of Practice of the Parliament were adopted by the Legislative Assembly on 9 August 2006 and by the Legislative Council on 22 August 2006. They are operational from the first sitting day of the 56th Parliament, 19 December 2006. Their adoption followed consideration of the Standing Orders Committee's Review of the Joint Standing Orders of the Parliament of Victoria. The report contained proposed joint standing orders and joint rules of practice as recommended by the Standing Orders Committees of both Houses. Some minor amendments were agreed to by the Houses at the time of adoption.

The current Standing Orders for the 57th Parliament are available to download as an Adobe Acrobat format document:
 Legislative Council Standing Orders 2010 308.23 Kb

The Standing Orders can also be viewed by Chapter below.

Chapter 1 - Opening of Parliament and Address In Reply
Chapter 2 - President, Deputy President and Acting Presidents
Chapter 3 - Attendance of Members
Chapter 4 - Sitting and Adjournment Of The Council
Chapter 5 - Business
Chapter 6 - Notices, Motions and Orders Of The Day
Chapter 7 - Questions and Amendments
Chapter 8 - Questions Seeking Information
Chapter 9 - Tabling of Papers
Chapter 10 - Petitions
Chapter 11 - Government Business Program
Chapter 12 - Debate
Chapter 13 - Conduct of Members
Chapter 14 - Bills
Chapter 15 - Committee of the Whole Council
Chapter 16 - Divisions
Chapter 17 - Witnesses
Chapter 18 - Messages from and Addresses to the Governor
Chapter 19 - Records of The Council
Chapter 20 - Broadcasting, Recording and Photography of Proceedings
Chapter 21 - Privilege and Right Of Reply
Chapter 22 - Strangers
Chapter 23 - Standing and Select Committees
Chapter 24 - Operation and Suspension of Standing Orders

Joint Standing Orders
Joint Rules of Practice