Standing Orders are written rules of procedure which provide for the conduct of proceedings in the House including the passage of bills, rules of debate, the maintenance of order, appointment of committees, and the matters affecting the operation of the House.
Every Parliament in the world has rules. They have them to try to make conduct of their houses of representatives orderly and constructive. The rules of the Parliament of Vanuatu are in the standing orders of Parliament. These rules started to be used in Parliament in January 1982. They are published in French and English.
Every member of Parliament should be given a copy of the Standing Orders as soon as possible after they are elected. It is very important that all MPs know what is in the Standing Orders. They tell in detail how an MP can add to the life of Parliament. The authority of the Standing Orders is given by the Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu 1988 under clause 21(5). This clause hands over to Parliament the right to "make its own rules of procedures".