Page 548 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 June 1989
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QUESTION TIME
MR SPEAKER: I would like to make a statement, as I indicated yesterday, about question time. It has been suggested to me that it may assist all members in the management of question time if the digital timing devices which indicate speaking time were used to show the length of time remaining for questions without notice. Whilst I understand the reason behind the suggestion, I feel that it is not appropriate to follow such a course of action.
In the House of Representatives, from which we derive much of our practice, and indeed in other Australian parliaments, the length of question time is the prerogative of the government. In practical terms that means the Prime Minister, Premier, or in this Assembly the Chief Minister.
On 23 May 1989, immediately prior to the first question time in this chamber, the Chief Minister indicated that she proposed that question time run for 30 minutes each day. This was accepted by all members of the Assembly. As Ministers cannot be compelled to answer questions without notice, then clearly the amount of time allocated for questions remains in the hands of the Chief Minister. Therefore, the length of question time cannot be enshrined in the standing orders. If the Chief Minister so wished, question time could be lengthened on a particular day, or permanently. Equally, it could be shortened.
The Assembly has amended the standing orders and adopted temporary orders so that questions without notice will be called on at 2.30 pm each sitting day. Occasionally this commencing time will be delayed because of formal business or announcements, as was the case on Tuesday last. In these instances members may be uncertain as to when question time commenced and when it might be expected to conclude.
Whilst I understand that the use of the timing devices might provide some assistance, in these situations I feel it may also give a false impression about the period for questions without notice and the prerogative of the Chief Minister. There will be many occasions when question time is delayed in its commencement or is interrupted by other matters, and it is up to the Chief Minister to make the decision as to when she will seek to have further questions placed on notice. For these reasons I do not propose to make use of the timing devices during question time.
I also draw the attention of members to standing order 117, which sets out the rules which apply to the asking of questions. Questions must be brief and relate to a single issue. Questions should not contain statements of fact or names of persons unless they are strictly necessary to render the question intelligible and the facts can be authenticated. Neither should questions contain arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets, ironical expressions or hypothetical matters. Members may not ask Ministers for an
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