Synod Process 2022
To assist General Synod members to navigate their way through General Synod processes please see:
- The Constitution of the Anglican Church of Australia
- Rule I – Standing Orders which governs the day-to-day processes of a session of the General Synod
- Rule III – Rules for the Conduct of Elections ordered to be made by the General Synod.
A MEMBER’S GUIDE FOR GENERAL SYNOD
A Member’s guide for General Synod has been prepared by Dr Robert Tong AM.
Dr Robert Tong AM is a long-standing member of the General Synod and of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney and its Standing Committee. This is an edited version of a paper that has regularly appeared General Synod papers.
HOW TO MOVE A MOTION
All General Synod members have the opportunity to promote a motion before the General Synod. A motion passed by the majority of members voting becomes a resolution of General Synod.
To promote a motion complete and submit the Notice of Motion Form. Arrange another member to second the motion.
Send your motion to gs18@anglican.org.au. You can also complete a handwritten Notice of Motion Form (blue) at the Secretaries’ desk during General Synod.
Motions will be listed on the Order of Business.
At General Synod, the President calls the mover of each motion to come to the lectern.
The mover has up to 15 minutes to make the case for the motion. The seconder may speak immediately after the mover for 10 minutes or may choose to reserve their right to speak during the debate.
HOW TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO A MOTION
All General Synod members are able to propose an amendment to a motion or Bill that is listed on the Order of Business.
To propose an amendment to a motion complete and submit the Amendment to Motion Form. Send your amendment to gs18@anglican.org.au. You can also complete a handwritten Amendment to Motion Form (pink) at the Secretaries’ desk during General Synod.
Amendments received before 9.00am on Monday 2 May 2022 will be published on the Amendment to Motions and Amendment to A Rule/Bill for a Canon sheets for Day 1 and circulated to General Synod members on the first day of the session.
Amendments to motions can also be received during the session. Amendments received by 7.30pm on the first or subsequent day of the session will be published on the Amendment to Motions sheet to be circulated the next day of sitting. The Amendment to Motions sheet will be published on the GS18 portal and provided in hard copy in the Synod Hall.
The mover of the amendment is required to confer with the proposer of the original motion. In some cases the proposer of the original motion will accept the amendments and, with the leave of Synod, move the motion in an amended form. The Secretaries of Synod must be notified as the acceptance needs to be noted on the Amendment to Motions sheet. A mover of an amendment to a motion will be called upon by the President to speak to the proposed amendment for a total of 5 minutes.
HOW TO ASK A QUESTION
All members can ask questions about any motion or matter connected with the business of Synod or any committee, board or commission of Synod or any committee, board or commission established by or under a canon or resolution of Synod.
The process for dealing with questions on notice is dealt with at section 24 of the Standing Orders.
To ask a question complete and submit the Notice of Question Form and sent it to gs18@anglican.org.au.
You can also complete a handwritten Notice of Question Form (green) at the Secretaries’ desk during General Synod.
Questions will be listed on the Order of Business. Where possible, answers to questions will be provided during the course of General Synod.
AMENDMENT TO A BILL
The procedures for making Canons are set out in Rule 1 – Standing Orders, particularly Standing Orders 63-65. The procedures for making Rules are set out in Standing Orders 66.
Please note the requirements of Standing Orders 41 to 42A relating to amendments.
Proposed amendments sent to gs18@anglican.org.au before 9.00 am on Monday 2 May 2022 in accordance with Standing Order 42A(a) will be tabled on the first sitting day of the session pursuant to Standing Order 7(d)(7).
Proposed amendments notified to the Secretaries of General Synod on the first or any subsequent day of sitting before 7.30 pm in accordance with Standing Order 42A(b) and (c) will be incorporated in the amendment sheet for the next sitting day.
You can complete the Amendment to a Bill Form and send it to gs18@anglican.org.au. You can also complete a handwritten Amendment to a Bill Form (yellow) at the Secretaries’ desk during General Synod.
Forms will be available in the Synod Hall to facilitate notification of hard copy amendments after the Synod session starts.
Please submit any proposed amendments as soon as possible to assist Synod office bearers preparing the daily amendment sheet. It also expedites the flow of business during the session if amendments are discussed and, if possible, agreed with the promoters. Promoters for each bill are identified in the Business Paper for the First Day of the Session.
If you are considering proposing amendments to a bill, you can ask for a Word version by emailing gs18@anglican.org.au.