Senate committee weighs technology rules for parliamentary sittings

The Senate Standing Orders Committee met on Friday, May 22, 2026, to continue its review of Standing Order 82A, which deals with the use of technology and devices during sittings of the Senate and its committees.

The meeting was chaired in the absence of the substantive chairman, who was said to be on the premises but attending to an urgent Senate matter. An apology was recorded for Senator Professor Floyd Morris, while the committee was also told that the legal officer would be unavailable for about two weeks.

Members confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on May 8, 2026. Senator Bernard moved the confirmation and Senator Kavan Gayle seconded it.

The committee first returned to wording in paragraph two of Standing Order 82A. Ms Stewart advised that replacing the word “devices” with “electronic devices and other devices” was unnecessary, because paragraph one had already set out the meaning and scope of the term. She said the cross-reference in paragraph two was enough to carry the full meaning forward. Members accepted that explanation.

Senator Bernard then raised concern about the rule barring external communication through devices during proceedings. He argued that the provision was difficult to police and that senators may need to obtain real-time information to improve the quality of debate. Senator Gayle said the rule could cover both quiet electronic messaging and disruptive uses such as telephone calls, and suggested the wording needed clarity.

The chair proposed language tying the restriction to conduct that may disturb Senate or committee proceedings. Ms Stewart suggested a qualifying clause allowing device use where information is needed for debate or presentations, while keeping the matter subject to the discretion of the president or committee chair. She was asked to redraft the paragraph.

The committee found paragraph three, dealing with private committee meetings and the release of material, to be straightforward.

Members also questioned paragraph four, which makes senators responsible for factual claims in presentations and bars statements based on newspaper reports or unofficial publications. Senator Scott-Mottley and other members said the wording was problematic, including its use of the word “asking” and its placement in a rule about technology. Ms Stewart was asked to examine how other jurisdictions handle the issue, while Senator Scott-Mottley was also asked to look at possible redrafting.

The meeting was adjourned to a date to be fixed after a motion moved by Senator Rose Bennett Cooper and seconded by Marlon Morgan.