Recommendation 1

4.51

The Committee recommends that the House amend standing orders to provide that questions during Question Time cannot ask about alternative approaches.

Recommendation 2

4.59

The Committee recommends that the House adopt a standing order that permits one non-government Member to ask a supplementary question during Question Time each day. The Committee recommends that the time limit for the question be 30 seconds and the time limit for the following answer be 90 seconds.

Recommendation 3

4.88

The Committee recommends that the House adopt a standing order that ensures Question Time consist of a minimum of:

at least 10 questions from opposition Members

five questions from government Members, on a rostered basis

five constituency questions from government Members, on a rostered basis

one question from a non-aligned Member.

Recommendation 4

4.105

The Committee recommends that the standing orders be amended so that the Prime Minister cannot refer a question to another minister to answer without first speaking to the matter of the question themselves.

Recommendation 5

5.39

The Committee recommends that standing orders be amended to reduce the time limit for all questions to 30 seconds.

Recommendation 6

5.47

The Committee recommends that standing orders be amended to reduce the time limit for answers to two minutes.

Recommendation 7

5.86

The Committee recommends that the House amend standing orders so that no points of order on direct relevance can be taken in the first 30 seconds of an answer.

Recommendation 8

5.87

The Committee recommends that the House amend standing order 94 so that the Speaker can direct a Member who is disorderly during Question Time to leave the Chamber for a period of either one or three hours (on an escalating basis) to be served during Question Time and the discussion of a matter of public importance.

Recommendation 9

6.19

The Committee recommends a short-term trial of very limited use of mobile phones by Members during Question Time. On completion of the trial, the House would decide whether to restrict their use during Question Time on an ongoing basis.

Recommendation 10

6.33

The Committee recommends that consideration be given to making statements on indulgence or moving motions of condolence after Prayers.

Recommendation 11

7.6

The Committee recommends improved promotion of the other work of the House, including resources for Members and/or asking the Department of the House of Representatives to develop additional public information products.

List of Recommendations