(1) Nil (2) Nil (3) Chair - the person presiding at a meeting of the Council under Schedule 1 of the Victoria University Act 2010 (the Act) or at meetings of Committees of Council. (4) Council Committee - a Committee constituted by a resolution of the Council. (5) Conflict of interest (as this relates to Council) - According to the OECD, in the public sector a conflict of interest arises 'when a public official has private-capacity interest which could improperly influence the performance of their official duties and responsibilities'. A conflict of interest may be real, apparent or potential. (6) Disclosure - This involves reporting a conflict of interest where an actual, apparent or potential conflict of interest arises. See Schedule 1 of the Act for guidance on how disclosures should be reported and documented. (7) Meeting - a meeting of the Council or a Committee of Council established under Section 15 of Schedule 1 of the Act. (8) Standing Orders - means the provisions in Part C of these Procedures. (9) Council Policy (10) All submissions to Council or its Council Committees must be in the requisite format, accompanied by the Council Proforma Cover Sheet or Standing Committee Proforma Cover Sheet, and cleared with the signature of the relevant Senior Executive and the Vice-Chancellor. Further guidance is contained within the Council Proforma Cover Sheet and Standing Committee Proforma Cover Sheet. (11) All papers submitted should: (12) Any attachments should be kept to a minimum with the emphasis being on commentary in the main body of the paper. (13) The Council, by resolution, may constitute and appoint any committees as it thinks fit (s15 Schedule 1 Victoria University Act) with the following provisions: (14) The Council Committees of Council currently include: (15) The Council is responsible for the accuracy of the minutes of Council meetings, which are confirmed at subsequent Council meetings and as such, the minutes of the Council and its Committees are owned by the Council itself. (16) Council determines the form and style of minutes. (17) Council, guided by the Records Management Policy and Procedures , will also determine distribution and access to minutes. (18) All records generated by Council and its Council Committees will be created, captured, accessed, stored and disposed of according to the provisions outlined in the University's Records Management Policy. (19) Decisions made by Council or its Council Committees must be informed by the maximum amount of relevant evidence and information. (20) Members must be proactive in seeking existing information or requesting research and investigation to provide appropriate additional information. Requests for such research and investigation must be judged to advance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council's or Council Committees' superintendence of University affairs. (21) General access to and ownership of information by members of Council or its Council Committees can be defined by the following boundaries: (22) Unless authorised, members must not disclose or use any confidential information. Such information would ordinarily be designated 'Confidential' by the Council, the Chancellor, or Chair — Council Committee, on behalf of Council. (23) Matters that would normally be considered as confidential would include: (24) Proven indiscretion in relation to the release of confidential information may result in disciplinary action by Council which might include counselling, formal reprimand or removal of the member from office on the grounds of refusal to perform, or negligence in the performance of, his or her duties. (25) Current and former members of Council or its Council Committees should not use or take advantage of information obtained in the course of their official duties in ways that may lead to personal gain or profit. (26) When the Council or its Council Committees are considering confidential items, and where appropriate non-Council members are admitted, they do so subject to the same requirements of confidentiality as apply to members. Council and Standing Committee members and non-members must neither disclose nor use any information raised at the meeting or in papers tabled there, except in accordance with the directions of the Chancellor. (27) Papers and discussion pertaining to confidential items (including consequential minutes) will remain confidential unless officially made public by a resolution of Council or Council Committee. (28) Members who suspect any instances of corruption, maladministration and serious and substantial wastes of public resources must act as soon as they are aware of any such instance under the provisions outlined in the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy. (29) Any gifts received by members resulting from their role on Council or its Council Committees must be managed according to the University Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy. (30) Private, personal interests are not limited to financial or pecuniary interests, or those which in general directly benefit the member. A conflict of interest may involve otherwise legitimate private capacity activity, personal affiliations and associations and family interests, if these interests could reasonably be considered likely to improperly influence the official's performance of their duties. (31) Each member is responsible for taking reasonable steps to avoid all conflicts of interest unless they are declared. (32) Each member must complete the following forms annually: (33) Should conflicts of interest arise subsequent to the completion of the annual forms, members of Council and Council Committees must inform the Council Secretary and Chancellor immediately in writing. (34) Council may grant leave of absence from a meeting for a member for the times in which a significant conflict of interest may influence decisions to be made. (35) In discharging the responsibility to avoid all conflicts of interest unless they are declared, a member must consider whether a reasonable person, who is in possession of all relevant facts, would be likely to perceive that the University's integrity is at risk from an unresolved conflict of interest. In that regard, the member must take into consideration the interests of and risk to the organisation, the public interest and the legitimate interest of members, as well as any other pertinent factors. (36) Where a member is unsure about an apparent or potential conflict of interest, he/she may consult with the Chancellor or Chair — Council Committee, prior to a relevant meeting. The Chancellor or Chair may seek advice on the member's behalf from the University's senior legal officer in relation to such an apparent or potential conflict of interest and its possible impact. (37) Notwithstanding any such consultation or advice, it remains the responsibility of each member to take reasonable steps to avoid all conflicts of interest unless they are declared, rather than that of the Chancellor or the Chair. Even if the Chancellor or Chair — Council Committee perceives that a real, apparent, or potential conflict of interest does not exist in the particular instance, such a perception does not relieve the member from his or her responsibilities. Any assistance or advice that the Chancellor or Chair might provide to the member is subject to the disclaimer that, as set out by the applicable law, responsibility remains with the member. (38) A member who has an interest in a matter being considered, or about to be considered, by the Council or Council Committee must as soon as practicable after the relevant facts have come to his or her knowledge, declare the nature of the interest at the meeting of the Council (or relevant Council Committee), or in writing addressed to the Chancellor (or Chair — Council Committee) prior to the meeting using the Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form . (39) If the Chancellor (or Chair — Council Committee) receives a written declaration, it must be reported at the next meeting of the Council or Council Committee. Any written declaration received must be stored in the confidential Declaration of Interest Register. (40) The Chancellor (or Chair — Council Committee) will request that a record of the declaration is made in the minutes of the relevant meeting citing the member, and the nature and extent of the declaration. (41) After a declaration is made by a member: (42) The agenda for each meeting of Council and Council Committees shall include the item 'Declaration of Interest', which requires members to declare any conflicts. (43) Subject to the Act and Governance, Academic and Student Affairs Statute 2013 these Standing Orders shall be applicable to all meetings. (44) The Chair shall maintain order. If a meeting has become unduly disorderly, the meeting may be adjourned for such period as the Chair thinks fit. (45) The Chair shall, subject to appeal to the meeting, interpret these Standing Orders. (46) These Standing Orders or any of them may be suspended by a resolution of the meeting. A motion to this effect shall be open to discussion. (47) Any member may raise a point of order, which shall take precedence over all other business, and which shall be open to discussion. The point must be raised at the time the alleged irregularity occurred. An explanation or contradiction shall not constitute a point of order. (48) Any member disagreeing with the Chair's ruling on a point of order may move dissent. The Chair shall then vacate the chair and such motion shall be put forthwith without discussion. (49) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Standing Orders, any decision made by a validly constituted meeting shall not be void by reason only of a departure from these Standing Orders which was not detected until after the decision had been made. (50) Any matters not dealt with in these Standing Orders shall be governed by the principles set out in the latest edition of Horsley's Meetings: Procedure, Law and Practice. (51) The Chair shall endeavour to encourage an atmosphere in which all parties can contribute to the meeting. (52) A quorum of Council is at least a majority of members holding office for the time being, other than a member who is on approved leave of absence. See s12, Schedule 1 of the Act. (53) A quorum of a Council Committee is considered to be half the number of current members plus one. (54) Meetings shall, subject to the presence of a quorum, start at the time set out on the notice, and shall, subject to the discretion of the meeting continue until all business on the agenda is disposed of. (55) If no quorum is present within 30 minutes of the starting time set out on the notice, the meeting shall lapse, and, subject to any resolution previously passed, the Chair shall fix the time of the next meeting. All business on the agenda of the lapsed meeting shall be included on the agenda of the next meeting and shall take precedence over new business. (56) No recommendation in any report shall be taken as adopted by a meeting unless a specific motion on the subject matter of that recommendation has been carried. (57) Any member desiring to speak at a meeting or in the Council Committee shall indicate that desire by raising his or her hand and when called upon by the Chair shall address the Chair. If two or more members indicate simultaneously, the Chair shall call upon the member who first caught the attention of the Chair. (58) The Chair shall, as far as practicable, call on speakers for and against a motion or amendment alternatively, subject to the right of a seconder to speak immediately after the mover. If two consecutive speakers have both argued for or against a motion or an amendment, and there is no member wishing to argue the opposite view, or, in the case of a motion, to move an amendment, the motion or the amendment shall, subject, in the case of a motion, to the mover's right of reply, be put without further discussion. The Chair shall be sensitive to the opportunities of all parties to gain the attention of the chair. (59) Unless otherwise resolved: (60) Members shall respect the Chair and its authority at all times. When the Chair speaks any member speaking shall cease speaking. The meeting may by motion suspend any member named by the Chair for having been disorderly or for having shown disrespect to the Chair. (61) Members shall use restrained and courteous language and non-verbal behaviour and shall speak relevantly to the matter under discussion. If the Chair rules any language or non-verbal behaviour objectionable, the speaker shall forthwith withdraw it and apologise. (62) The Chair may, after due warning, require members to cease speaking if: (63) No member shall reflect on the vote of a meeting, except on motion for the rescission of any resolution previously adopted. No member shall reflect on a provision of these Standing Orders except on a motion (of which due notice was given) to amend or repeal these Standing Orders. (64) A member claiming to have been misrepresented shall be entitled to make a personal explanation. Such, explanation, which may be made at any time (but not while another member has the floor), must be confined to the alleged misrepresentation and must not introduce argument or new matter. (65) Except by leave of the meeting or with the indulgence of the Chair, no discussion shall take place except on a motion or amendment duly proposed and seconded, on a point of order or on a personal explanation. (66) No member other than the proposer of a motion or an amendment shall speak to it until it has been seconded. A motion or amendment lapsing for want of a seconder shall not be recorded in the minutes. (67) Except at the discretion of the Chair, no member shall speak more than once to any question, except that the mover of a motion (but not of any amendment) shall have a right of reply, which reply shall close the discussion. An amendment shall constitute a separate question from the original motion and from any other amendment. (68) A member moving a motion or amendment shall have the right to speak to it. A member seconding a motion or amendment without speaking to it may reserve the right to speak to it subsequently. (69) When an amendment is before the Chair, discussion shall be confined to that amendment. No further amendment shall be proposed until the amendment before the Chair has been disposed of. (70) A member who has not already participated in the discussion may at any time, whether another speaker has the floor or not, move, 'That the question be now put', which motion, if accepted by the Chair, shall be put without amendment or discussion. The Chair shall have absolute discretion to accept or refuse the motion. The Chair may also, without requiring a motion, put the question if the Chair feels that adequate discussion has taken place. In either case the mover of a motion shall retain the right of reply. If an amendment is before the Chair, the closure motion shall be deemed to close the discussion on the amendment only. (71) A member may at any time move, 'That the speaker be no longer heard' or 'That the speaker be heard for a [stipulated limited period only]'. Such motions shall be put without amendment or discussion. No other motion, except the closure motion or a motion dealing with the speaker's time, shall be moved while a speaker has the floor. (72) A member may at any time move, 'That strict order of debate be followed'. This motion shall not be capable of amendment or discussion, and, if carried, shall restrict members to speaking once only to any question, subject to the right of reply of the mover of the original motion. (73) A member may move: 'That the debate (or meeting) be now adjourned'. Discussion shall be in order, but only amendments as to time and/or place shall be permitted. The motion shall take precedence over the other business before the Chair except points of order and personal explanations. (74) A meeting may at any time during the discussion of a motion or an amendment resolve itself into a Council Committee, keeping in mind issues of gender inclusivity. (75) Only one substantive motion shall be before the meeting at any time. (76) An amendment may be proposed to a motion which has been duly seconded. (77) A direct negative to a motion shall not be a competent amendment. (78) The proposer of any motion or amendment, other than a procedural motion, shall submit it in writing, except at the discretion of the Chair. (79) If any proposed motion or amendment appears to be ungrammatical or ambiguous, or otherwise not in correct form, the Chair may decline to accept it until the mover rewords it accordingly. (80) The Chair may rule out any motion: (81) The Chair may rule out any amendment: (82) The Chair shall, when reasonably requested to do so by any member, read or cause to be read the motion, amendment and/or foreshadowed amendments before the Chair. Such request shall not be made while any speaker has the floor. (83) A motion or amendment before the Chair shall not be withdrawn except by its mover and by leave of the meeting. No motion shall be withdrawn while any amendment is under discussion or after any amendment has been adopted. (84) On the motion to confirm the minutes, no questions except as to their accuracy shall be raised. (85) Motions arising out of any discussion may be foreshadowed at any time. Foreshadowed motions shall be considered, unless the meeting resolves otherwise, in the order in which they were foreshadowed. During the discussion on the substantive motion or any amendment thereto, foreshadowed motions may be referred to briefly but shall not be discussed in detail. (86) Before putting any question, the Chair shall read it or cause it to be read to the meeting. (87) When the Chair is putting a question, no member shall enter or leave the room. (88) When the Chair puts a question, he or she may be interrupted by and shall give way to any member who has not previously spoken and who desires to speak or to propose an amendment, except when the mover has spoken in reply, when the closure has been carried, or when the previous question has been defeated. Such interruptions must be made before the affirmative votes have been counted. (89) Voting shall be decided by a show of hands unless the Chair or at least three members request a poll before or on the declaration of the result and a poll shall be taken in such a manner as the Chair thinks fit. (90) Members who were present at a vote conducted by a show of hands may have the fact that they voted for or against the question or abstained from voting (as the case may be) recorded in the minutes. A request for this to be done must be made by the members concerned as soon as the result of the vote has been declared. (91) A declaration by the Chair that a question has been carried or lost and an entry to the effect in the minutes shall be conclusive evidence of that fact, without proof of the number of votes recorded for or against the question.Council - Conduct of Council Business and Standing Orders Procedure
Section 1 - Purpose / Objectives
Section 2 - Scope / Application
Section 3 - Definitions
Section 4 - Policy Statement
Section 5 - Procedures
Part A - Conduct of Council business
Making a submission to Council or Council Committees
Council Committees
Records of Business
Access to information and responsibilities in respect of information
Disclosure and distribution of confidential or sensitive information
Corrupt conduct and maladministration
Acceptance of gifts
Part B - Conflict of interest
Avoiding conflicts of interest
Apparent or potential conflicts of interest
Making a disclosure
Dealing with conflicts of interest
Part C - Standing Orders for meetings of Council and Council Committees
General
Meetings
Speaking
Motions
Voting
Section 6 - Guidelines
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The member concerned may at once move that he or she be further heard; however, this motion to be further heard must be put without amendment or discussion.