What is the name for the parliamentary officer who knows the rules of parliament?
The Clerk of the Senate
Paul Furness/DPS Auspic
The Clerk of the Senate
Paul Furness/DPS Auspic
Description
The Clerk of the Senate sitting at their desk in the Senate. The Clerk sit near the President of the Senate, who is sitting in an elevated chair behind them. At the Clerks desk there are books which contain the standing orders – rules – of the Senate. In front of the Clerk there are 2 hourglasses which they use to indicate how much time remains for a senator to reach the chamber before a vote begins.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.
They are called the Clerk. The Senate and the House of Representatives each have a Clerk, who is the top-level parliamentary officer. They have a detailed understanding of the rules of the Senate and House, which are called the standing orders.
The Clerks use their knowledge of the rules to help make sure Parliament runs properly. They are the only non-elected people who regularly speak in the Senate or the House. They often give advice to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the standing orders to make sure they are followed.
Clerks provide advice when there is a question about whether a rule has been broken or if a senator or member is allowed to do something. This might include checking if someone is speaking out of turn, advising on whether a comment is appropriate, or confirming if a motion or amendment can be moved at that time. Their advice helps make sure the rules are followed consistently and fairly.