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House of Representatives                                Ch 18                                                 p 642

Deputy chair

Standing order 232(b) and most resolutions of appointment provide for a deputy chair to be elected by each committee. In the past, it has been provided on some occasions that the chair appoint a member of the committee as deputy chair ‘from time to time’—that is, as circumstances demanded. In such cases the same member was not necessarily appointed each time. ¹

In practice the deputy chair is normally an opposition member. The resolution of appointment of the Joint Committee on the Parliamentary Committee System directed that the committee elect as deputy chair one of the members nominated by the Leader of the Opposition. The deputy chair was also to be a member from a different House from the chair. ²

Immediately upon election at the committee’s first meeting, the chair conducts the election of a deputy chair. It is considered that the provisions of standing order 14, which provide for the filling of a vacancy in the office of Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker should be followed as appropriate.

The deputy chair acts as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting. If neither the Chair nor deputy Chair is present at a meeting, the members present elect another member to act as Chair at the meeting. ³

Standing Committee on Road Safety, VP 1974-75/51-2; Select Committee on Aircraft Noise, VP 1970-72/33-4.

VP 1976-77/59-60.

S.O. 232(b).