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Parliamentary Questions and Question Time

Parliamentary Questions are an important means used by members of Parliament to ensure the government is accountable to the Parliament for its policies and actions and, through the Parliament, to the people. Questions are used by members of both houses to ask a minister about matters of concern relating to government policy and activities in that minister’s portfolio. Through parliamentary questions, members attempt to obtain information. Members who do not support the government will often frame their questions in a way that implies criticism of government policies and actions.

Questions must conform to the rules or the standing orders of each house (see Legislative Assembly Standing Orders 75 to 82 and Legislative Council Standing Orders 136 to 140). The Speaker in the Legislative Assembly and the President in the Legislative Council may disallow or edit a question that is considered at odds with the house’s standing orders. Questions asked of a minister must be brief, not contain a long preamble (introduction), and must relate to the minister’s portfolio or area of responsibility.

Parliamentary questions are categorised into two groups —

  • questions without notice, and
  • questions on notice.