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Ch9 Motions / AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS / How to move



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House of Representatives                                Ch 9                                                 p 302

 

Motions / AMENDMENTS TO MOTIONS

 

How to move

An amendment is a subsidiary motion moved in the course of debate upon a principal motion, with the object of either modifying the question in such a way as to increase its acceptability or presenting to the House a different proposition as an alternative to the original question. Amendments may be moved by:

  • omitting certain words; and/or
  • inserting or adding words. 1
  • An amendment may not be moved to certain questions and motions:

    1. the motion for the adjournment of the House; 2 and
    2. the procedural questions and motions listed in standing order 78.

    With these exceptions, an amendment may be moved to any other question, after it has been proposed by the Chair, provided that the amendment is relevant to the question to which the amendment is proposed.

    An amendment must be in writing and must be signed by the mover and (if a seconder is required— see below ) a seconder. 3 Notice is not required of an amendment, but notice has been given on occasions. 4 The modern practice is to have an amendment printed and circulated to Members to enable it to be assessed before the question on it is put to the House, although this is not required by the standing orders. In the absence of a Member who has circulated an amendment, another Member, with the proposer’s permission, may move it on his or her behalf. 5

    Any amendment must be moved before the mover of a motion speaks in reply to the original question. 6 The Member speaking in reply cannot propose an amendment.



    S.O. 121(a).



    S.O. 32(a).



    S.O. 121(b).



    NP 78 (22.11.07) 352.



    VP 1951-53/133.



    H.R. Deb. (19.11.14) 841.