From left to right: There are many similarities in the role of Whips in large Parliaments like Westminster, medium- sized Parliaments like New Zealand and small Parliaments like Bermuda.
jurisdiction and are a distillation of the roles Whips have played in the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly since the first Parliament in 1989.
Parliamentary business The Government Whip has the following responsibilities for parliamentary business as a Member of the government benches and is a
backbench role. Opposition Whips and Cross Bench Whips play a similar role and assist their colleagues and Leaders. The role has many elements. The management of time in the
House entails:
• The prediction of the length of times for debates; • The development of knowledge
of Standing and Temporary Orders in relation to time limits of debates; • The development of understand- ing of Standing and Temporary Orders in relation to precedence and order of debates; • The development and consulta- tion on conventions applicable to time limits and orders of debates , such as no-confidence motions, censure mo-
tions and matters of grave concern, matters of public importance (MPIs), Assembly business on executive business days, private Members’ business and legislation debates, and • Consultation with segments of the Chamber regarding the finishing times for the day’s business and the commencement of the adjournment debate.