Restructuring Question Time

The committee has considered proposals to restructure question time with the aim of making it a more effective mechanism for seeking the accountability of the executive government to the Parliament.

The proposals were circulated by Senator Ferguson as President.  In essence, they would involve replacing the current system, of one question without notice and one supplementary question from the questioner, with a system of one primary question on notice and multiple supplementary questions not confined to the questioner, and a stricter requirement for relevance of answers.  The proposals were outlined as follows:

(1)      All primary questions to be placed on a Question Time Notice Paper by 11 am.

(2)      Up to 6 supplementary questions following each primary question.

(3)      Up to 2 minutes for an answer to each primary or supplementary question.

(4)      Answers to be directly relevant to each question.

The selection of the primary questions to be asked and the allocation of the supplementary questions would be governed by informal agreements similar to those operating at present.

Attached to this report are a background paper circulated by Senator Ferguson when President (attachment 1) and a schedule showing the amendments which would need to be made to standing orders 72 and 73 to introduce the proposed system (attachment 2).

The committee appreciates that adoption of these proposals would be a major change to the working of a significant parliamentary procedure, and that such a change should not be introduced without consultation with senators and other interested parties.

The committee reports the proposals to the Senate at this stage to begin that process of consultation.  The committee will consider the proposals again after senators and others have had an opportunity to express their views.

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