Schedule 1: Branch meeting procedure

⌛Timing

The provisions of this schedule come into force on the transition date (1 January 2023)

Drafting Panel commentary

Schedule 1 sets out the meeting procedure for Branches.

The quorum for Branches with less than 15 members is set at 4.

Branches can set their own procedures but State Council has the power to revoke branch-decided procedures in exceptional circumstances (e.g. if a branch decided that a branch office bearer would have an unlimited term).

1. Convening

   A branch meeting may be convened:

   1. in accordance with any procedure made under item 6;

   2. in the absence or failure of any such procedure—in accordance with any procedure made by State Council; and

   3. in exceptional circumstances—by State Council.

2. Notice

   Branch members must be given adequate notice of each meeting.

3. Quorum

   1. The quorum for a branch meeting is:

      1. for branches with 15 or more members—six branch members; and

      2. for other branches—four branch members.

   2. There is no quorum for an election deliberation sessiona discussion of:

      1. the issues facing the Party and how they should be addressed;
      2. the strengths and weaknesses of the current State Council;
      3. the merits of the candidates in addressing those.
      or part of a meeting at which a members’ plebiscite is being considered or voted on.

4. Proceedings

   1. A branch meeting must comply with the requirements in clause 4.

   2. A branch meeting must decide its own agenda.

   3. The types of proposal that may be put to a branch meeting are:

      1. a procedural proposala proposal about the proceedings of the meeting at which it is put; and

      2. a substantive proposalany proposal that is not a procedural or reconsideration proposal.

   4. A proposal that is put to a vote is passed if it meets the following requirements:

      Type	Requirements
      Procedural proposal	A majority of branch members in attendance who vote on the proposal vote in favour
      Substantive proposal	At least two thirds of the branch members in attendance who vote on the proposal vote in favour

5. Proxies

   Proxy voting at branch meetings is not allowed.

6. Additional procedures

   1. A branch may, by a substantive proposalany proposal that is not a procedural or reconsideration proposal, make additional meeting procedures that are consistent with these procedures.

   2. State Council may revoke such procedures in exceptional circumstances.