F33: Selection of Speakers

Submitted by: 11 members.
Mover: David Barnsdale.
Summation: Toby Keynes.

Conference believes that:

1. There can be no genuine and meaningful debate unless opposing viewpoints are heard, even if one side may appear to be in a small minority.
2. Genuine, balanced debate should bring forward ideas and arguments that participants have not previously considered, may identify major flaws in a motion and should result in better decision-making.

Conference resolves to amend standing order 8.7 as follows:

Delete: 'The Chair shall be responsible for the choice of the speakers and shall attempt to provide a balanced debate between the different viewpoints in the conference, but may announce a departure from this rule if there is an overwhelming preponderance of members wishing to speak on the same side'.

and insert: 'The Chair shall be responsible for the choice of the speakers and shall attempt to provide a balanced debate between the different viewpoints in the conference reflected in the number of speaker cards submitted, but may, at their discretion, depart from strict proportionality in favour of the minority if it seems that to do so would ensure that conference is sufficiently informed about the issues involved to make a decision. In assessing the number of speakers allocated to each side the proposer and summation will count as part of the allocation for those speaking for the motion or amendment. The Chair shall ensure that there is at least one speaker for the motion and at least one speaker against the motion and the same for each amendment, provided there are members who are willing and able to speak. After the motion and all amendments have been proposed, speakers against the motion and each amendment shall be called next unless there are no members wishing to speak in opposition. At the end of the debate, but before voting starts, the Chair shall announce the balance of cards submitted for and against the motion and each amendment'.

The existing text of Conference standing orders is at pages 99-117 of the agenda.

Applicability: Federal.

Mover: 5 minutes; summation of motion and movers and summation of any amendments: 3 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. For eligibility and procedure for speaking in this debate, see page 9 of the agenda.

The deadline for amendments to this motion , is 13.00 Monday 5 September, see page 12 of the agenda. Those selected for debate will be printed in Conference Extra and Monday's Conference Daily. The deadline for requests for separate votes is 09.00 on Sunday 18 September, see pages 8-9 of the agenda.

Standing order amendments require a two-thirds majority to pass.