Questions shall not be asked which reflect on or are critical of the character or conduct of those persons whose conduct may only be challenged on a substantive motion, and notice must be given of questions critical of the character or conduct of other persons;

Questions may not be asked which reflect on, or are critical of, the character or conduct of those people whose conduct may only be challenged on a substantive motion. Such people include the Sovereign, the heir to the throne, other members of the Royal Family, the Governor-General, the Governor of a State, the Speaker, Members of either House and members of the judiciary. In the past the rule was also held to apply to the Chairman of Committees, and with the creation of the positions of Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker, it is considered these positions would also be covered by the practice.

Questions critical of the character or conduct of other persons cannot be asked without notice. Although this rule is generally applied to named persons, it has also been applied to unnamed, but readily identifiable, persons. Such questions may, however, be placed on the Notice Paper. The purpose of the rule is to protect a person against criticism which could be unwarranted.