Annotated Standing Orders of the New South Wales Legislative Council
By: David Blunt
About This Book
The Annotated Standing Orders of the New South Wales Legislative Council is a comprehensive commentary charting the purpose, development and modern operation of the rules of procedure of the Legislative Council. Canvassing over 150 years of proceedings of the House and its committees, the Annotated Standing Orders provides interesting anecdotes and important precedents to rules in common use today and rules less seldom used, even obscure. The work renders the seemingly complex and impenetrable language and practice of parliamentary procedure in the Westminster tradition, as it has developed in the Legislative Council, accessible to members, parliamentary officers and others with an interest in parliamentary law, practice and procedure.Key features:A concise summary of the purpose and development of each current rule.Explanations and examples of the practical operation of regularly used rules and the creative use of seldom used procedures.A chronology of the adoption, repeal and amendment of the rules and orders of the Legislative Council since 1824.Practical illustration of the role of parliamentary procedure in upholding the core principles of freedom of speech, the rights of the minority, and the function of the Council as a House of Review.
AI Overview
The book "Annotated Standing Orders of the New South Wales Legislative Council" by David Blunt provides a comprehensive commentary on the rules of procedure of the Legislative Council in New South Wales, Australia. Here is a detailed overview of the book:
Key Themes
- Historical Context: The book explores the development of the Legislative Council's standing orders since 1856, when New South Wales gained responsible government and the Parliament became bicameral.
- Parliamentary Procedure: It delves into the purpose, operation, and modernization of the standing orders, making complex parliamentary procedures accessible to members, parliamentary officers, and others interested in parliamentary law and practice.
- Anecdotes and Precedents: The book includes interesting anecdotes and important precedents to rules in common use today, as well as those less frequently used or obscure.
Plot Summary
The book is structured to provide a clear understanding of the Legislative Council's standing orders. It covers over 150 years of proceedings in the House and its committees, incorporating personal working notes from current and former clerks and procedure officers. The narrative is designed to offer practical guidance and rationale for modern-day practice in the Council.
Critical Reception
While specific reviews are not provided in the search results, the book is described as a comprehensive commentary that makes the seemingly complex and impenetrable language and practice of parliamentary procedure accessible. It is intended to complement other works on the history and constitutional development of New South Wales, such as "New South Wales Legislative Council Practice" by Lynn Lovelock and John Evans.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Commentary: The book provides a detailed examination of the purpose, development, and modern operation of the rules of procedure.
- Historical Context: It includes a historical perspective on the evolution of standing orders.
- Practical Guidance: It offers practical guidance and rationale for the modern-day practice of the Legislative Council.
- Anecdotes and Precedents: The book includes illustrative anecdotes and important precedents to rules in common use today and those less frequently used.
Overall, "Annotated Standing Orders of the New South Wales Legislative Council" by David Blunt is a valuable resource for understanding the intricacies of parliamentary procedure in the Legislative Council of New South Wales.