Mr SPEAKERYesterday a point of order was raised about Ministers tabling papers in the House. Papers may be presented to the House or tabled in the House by leave. Presentation and tabling by leave are two distinct procedures.
The presentation of a paper to the House takes place off the floor of the House. Standing Order 362 allows the Speaker and Ministers to present a paper by delivering it to the Clerk on any working day, but prior to 1 p.m. on a sitting day. A Minister may not present a paper under Standing Order 362 while the House is sitting.
During the course of a sitting any member, including a Minister, may seek leave to table a document. Only the Speaker, under Standing Order 362(1), and a Minister who is presenting papers relating to the Budget following the delivery of the Budget, or who has introduced an Appropriation Bill, under Standing Order 366, may present a paper in the House without leave. Standing Order 368, in allowing a document to be tabled by leave of the House, makes no distinction between members and Ministers. Both must seek leave to do so. However, unlike members, this is not the only option available to Ministers. A Minister may also, under Standing Order 362, present a paper off the floor of the House by delivering it to the Clerk.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I thank you for your considered ruling. It is clearly an area where there has been some greyness in the past, and this ruling has clarified it.