Thursday, 29 May 2025

Rulings from the Chair

Motions of urgent public importance

The PRESIDENT (09:33): Members, I have a ruling to give on a matter of urgent public importance. Pursuant to standing order 6.09, yesterday afternoon I received a submission from Dr Mansfield for the house to debate a matter of urgent public importance. The matter sought to be debated relates to the Commonwealth government’s recent decision to approve the extension of the Woodside North West Shelf gas project until the year 2070. Under standing orders, if the President is satisfied that the matter is of such importance as to warrant urgent consideration, the matter must be dealt with as a priority over all other business.

In determining the urgent matter I am required to take into account consideration of a number of factors under standing order 6.10(1). I consider that Dr Mansfield’s submission meets some criteria, including that the matter is of recent occurrence and has been raised at the first opportunity. However, in consideration of this matter I should also give consideration to two other important factors, those being whether the rights, welfare or security of citizens are in jeopardy and whether there is a distinct possibility of the matter being brought before the house in reasonable time by other means.

Firstly, I am not convinced that the subject of the proposed motion by Dr Mansfield is one in which the rights, welfare or security of citizens are in jeopardy to warrant an urgent motion today. Secondly, I believe there are other opportunities for the matter to be brought before the house in reasonable time by other means. Dr Mansfield may give notice of motion to be debated in general business on a future Wednesday. She also can raise the matter during questions without notice and the adjournment debate. Further, I notice that this matter relates to the Commonwealth government’s decision on a project in another state. As such, I am not convinced that the Victorian government should be debating this matter today as an urgent matter of public importance. Accordingly, while the request meets the criteria on some levels, on balance I am not satisfied that the subject matter should proceed to debate as a matter of urgent public importance.