Constitution Act 1902

In this Act, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires—

For sections 22H, 22I and 32, in relation to ascertaining a quorum for, or determining a question in, a House of Parliament, a Member of Parliament is taken to be present at a meeting of the House if the Member attends the meeting remotely using an audio visual link in accordance with—

the Standing Rules and Orders of the House, or

a resolution or sessional order of the House.

Subsection (2) has effect for a House of Parliament only if the Presiding Officer of the House has declared that—

it will be impracticable for Members of the House to meet in person during a specified period due to a public emergency, including a public health crisis, natural disaster, major accident, civil disturbance or act of terrorism, and

a majority of the Members of the House have requested remote attendance of the House be permitted under this section during the specified period.

A Member is taken to have made a request under subsection (3)(b) if the following person has made the request on the Member’s behalf—

if the Member belongs to a party—the Member’s party leader,

a Member of Parliament nominated by the Member to the Presiding Officer.