The House Standing Committee on Procedure today tabled A window on the House, its report into the practices and procedures relating to Question Time.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 13 May 2021

The House Standing Committee on Procedure today tabled A window on the House, its report into the practices and procedures relating to Question Time. ‘The Committee is recommending a package of changes to improve how Question Time operates,’ the Chair of the Committee, Mr Ross Vasta, said. ‘The inquiry looked not just at the rules for questions and answers but also at the culture of Question Time,’ the Deputy Chair, Mr Milton Dick, said. ‘Many people contributed their views through surveys, submissions and hearings,’ Mr Vasta said. ‘The Committee would like to thank everyone who participated in the inquiry.’ The Committee has recommended that Question Time consist of a minimum of 21 questions each day, including at least 10 questions from opposition members, five questions from government members, five constituency questions from government members and one question from a non-aligned member, with a further one supplementary question allowed from an opposition member each day. The Committee also recommends new time limits of 30 seconds for all questions and two minutes for answers, with no points of order on relevance allowed in the first 30 seconds of an answer. It also proposes changes to the standing orders to curb the use of tag questions about alternative approaches and amend practices regarding answers to questions directed to the Prime Minister. This package of changes would encourage questions to be more focused and answers to be tighter and more relevant. The Committee has also made recommendations to hold a trial of very limited mobile phone use by Members and provide the Speaker with an additional option to manage disorderly behaviour. The Committee considers that the House could also make more use of and highlight other parts of the parliamentary day. Changes to practices and procedures are ultimately a matter for the House itself, and the Committee hopes it will consider these recommendations carefully. The full report is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Ross Vasta ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au (07) 3893 3488 Mr Milton Dick milton.dick.mp@aph.gov.au (07) 3879 6440 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au 

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure this week continues its program of public hearings as part of its inquiry into the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House.

Media release issue date: Monday, 27 July 2020

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure this week continues its program of public hearings as part of its inquiry into the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House. Chair of the committee Mr Ross Vasta said the committee will hear from a panel from the parliamentary press gallery and from former Speaker the Hon Peter Slipper. ‘This is an opportunity to explore perceptions of Question Time,’ Mr Vasta said. ‘Hearing different perspectives on Question Time and the role it plays in the parliamentary day will inform our consideration of practices and procedures,’ said Mr Milton Dick, the Deputy Chair of the committee. The committee has so far conducted a public survey, received submissions, held public hearings and consulted with current Members. At the conclusion of its inquiry, the Committee will make recommendations to the House for its consideration. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Monday, 27 July 2020 Time: 3pm to 4pm Location: By teleconference Witnesses: Parliamentary Press Gallery Date: Tuesday, 28 July 2020 Time: 2pm to 3pm Location: by teleconference Witness: The Hon Peter Slipper The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Mr Ross Vasta ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au 07 3893 3488 Mr Milton Dick milton.dick.mp@aph.gov.au 07 3879 6440 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure will hold further public hearings on 2 and 7 July as part of its inquiry into the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 1 July 2020

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure will hold further public hearings on 2 and 7 July as part of its inquiry into the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House. Chair of the committee Mr Ross Vasta said the committee will hear from two former Members of Parliament, including a former Speaker, via teleconference. ‘Mr Peter Slipper and Ms Cheryl Kernot have both made submissions to our inquiry and we are looking forward to discussing their views in more detail,’ Mr Vasta said. ‘In its hearings, the committee is exploring the valuable feedback it has received from surveys, submissions and witnesses so far,’ said Mr Milton Dick, the Deputy Chair of the committee. At the conclusion of its inquiry, the Committee will make recommendations to the House for its consideration. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website. Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 2 July 2020 Time: 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm Location: by teleconference Witness: Mr Peter Slipper Date: Tuesday, 7 July 2020 Time: 11.00 am to 11.45 am Location: by teleconference Witness: Ms Cheryl Kernot The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live Media inquiries Mr Ross Vasta ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au (07) 3893 3488 Mr Milton Dick milton.dick.mp@aph.gov.au (07) 3879 6440 For background information Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure is holding a public hearing as part of its inquiry examining the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 3 June 2020

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure is holding a public hearing as part of its inquiry examining the practices and procedures relating to question time in the House. Chair of the committee Mr Ross Vasta said the Committee would hold a public hearing by teleconference tomorrow, 4 June. “This is the first of the Committee’s public hearings into this inquiry,” Mr Vasta said. “I’m really looking forward to the feedback and looking into ways we can make it easier for people to engage with question time and be part of the process.” Deputy Chair of the Committee Mr Milton Dicksaid the committee would hear from a range of witnesses about how question time could be improved. The Committee has received more than 40 submissions and has conducted surveys to seek suggestions from the public and from Members on the rules and conventions around question time and opportunities for change. At the conclusion of its inquiry, the Committee will make recommendations to the House for its consideration. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Committee’s website.   Public hearing details Date: Thursday, 4 June 2020 Time: 11am to 3.45 pm Location: Teleconference Indicative times: 11am – 12 noon: Mr Harry Jenkins 1pm – 2pm: Ms Anna Burke 2pm –2.45pm: Professor Colleen Lewis 3pm–3.45pm: Accountability Roundtable 3.45pm: Close The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.   Media inquiries Mr Ross Vasta ross.vasta.mp@aph.gov.au (07) 3893 3488 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Can question time in the House of Representatives be improved? What can we learn from other parliaments? These questions and more will be considered by the House Procedure Committee, and the Australian public is being invited to have its say.

Media release issue date: Friday, 2 August 2019

  Can question time in the House of Representatives be improved? What can we learn from other parliaments? These questions and more will be considered by the House Procedure Committee, and the Australian public is being invited to have its say. Chair of the committee Mr Ross Vasta announced today that the committee had agreed to adopt the inquiry, which will examine the practice and procedure relating to question time in the House. ‘Question time is one of the most keenly watched parts of the sitting day,’ Mr Vasta said. ‘The committee will look at how question time runs and how this could be improved.’ Members of the public can make submissions to the inquiry, and a public survey will open later in the year to collect further feedback. The committee is particularly interested in suggestions about the format of question time and also how to make it easier for Australians to engage with question time. ‘We want to hear ideas not just from parliamentarians but also from the public,’ Mr Vasta said. ‘This is a broad‑ranging inquiry that will look at the rules and conventions around question time and consider opportunities for change,’ said Mr Milton Dick, the Deputy Chair of the committee. In addition to public submissions, the inquiry will also seek comments from Members and consider how question time operates in other parliaments. At the conclusion of its inquiry, the Committee will make recommendations to the House for its consideration. Further information about the inquiry and about making a submission is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Mr Ross Vasta, Chair, House Procedure Committee (07) 3893 3488 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4672 procedure.committee.reps@aph.gov.au