There is a bit of too and fro over some of the changing standing orders in the house.

Governments usually use the first sitting of the parliament to update the standing orders – which are the rules which govern the chambers.

Last parliament, Labor updated the standing orders to allow for more questions from the crossbench, which the Coalition were not happy about because it meant they got less.

This time round, Labor is changing the standing orders so when recording a vote, if there is six or less people against the vote, then those names will be recorded, but the ayes and the absents will not.

It is not a huge deal, but it does make the job of some of the accountability sites which have sprung up which look at how MPs vote on issues, a little harder. Some of those sites already struggled when votes were recorded ‘on the voices’ which means that it’s the louder ayes or noes.

But if you vote against something, your vote will be recorded.

Zali Steggall moved this change to disorderly conduct:

A Member’s conduct shall be considered disorderly if the Member has:

 (a)persistently and wilfully obstructed the House;

 (b)used objectionable words, which he or she has refused to withdraw;

 (c)persistently and wilfully refused to conform to a standing order;

 (d)wilfully disobeyed an order of the House;

 (e)persistently and wilfully disregarded the authority of the Speaker; or

 (f)been considered by the Speaker to have behaved in a disorderly manner, including behaviour that is intimidating, harassing or bullying.

And then Allegra Spender tried – but the question was ‘put and negatived’ which means the government said no