Media Statements
Joint Statement - New measures to clean up Question Time
Joint Statement – New measures to clean up Question Time
John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition
James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning
The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will seek to amend the rules of the Legislative Assembly to require Premier Jacinta Allan and her Cabinet Ministers to stop abusing Question Time.
Under Labor, Question Time has become a joke, with the Premier and Ministers routinely either refusing to answer probing questions or wasting three minutes talking about another issue.
Victorians deserve Parliamentary rules that require the government to answer important questions about issues of the day.
This week in Parliament, the Liberals and Nationals will seek to make two changes:
- A requirement that an answer in Question Time must be responsive to the question.
- Allow the Speaker to determine that an answer is not responsive to the question and may accordingly direct the minister to provide a written response to the question by 2pm the next sitting day.
The changes will ensure the substance of questions must be addressed and stop a shameful repeat of the Labor’s recent behaviour in Question Time.
Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, said: “Last Parliamentary sitting week we saw a shameful display of behaviour from the Premier, who refused to answer 22 direct questions.
“Victorians deserve a Government who are accountable, and the Liberals and Nationals will move sensible measures that will require the Premier and Labor to stop abusing Question Time.”
Manager of Opposition Business, James Newbury, said: “The Labor Government has been in office for 10 years and is now treating the Parliament with contempt.
“Question Time is an important check and balance to keep a Government accountable to the people, and Victorians expect the Premier and Ministers to answer questions.
“The Liberals and Nationals will move sensible amendments to the Parliamentary rules to ensure that the Allan Labor Government stops avoiding scrutiny.”
John Pesutto, Leader of the Opposition
James Newbury, Shadow Minister for Planning