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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-03-02 Daily Xml
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Sittings and Business

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:06): I move:

That for the remainder of the session, sessional orders be adopted so as to provide that unless otherwise ordered, the period for asking questions may not exceed one hour and 15 minutes and that crossbench members, those being not from the group led by the Leader of the Government or the group led by the Leader of the Opposition, be entitled to four questions during the period. If, however, the last question asked or begun to be asked before the expiration of that hour and 15 minutes has not been answered, the question may be answered even though the period of one hour and 15 minutes has expired.

The SPEAKER: Is the motion seconded?

Honourable members: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: Does the member for Florey wish to speak further to the motion?

Ms BEDFORD: Only briefly, sir. This motion is intended to allow crossbench members to ask questions during question time or at the end of question time so that the questions from either the government or the opposition will not be impeded or interfered with in any way.

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN (Stuart—Minister for Energy and Mining) (12:07): Unsurprisingly, the government does not support this proposal.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, members on my left!

The Hon. D.C. VAN HOLST PELLEKAAN: One hour for question time seems to have worked very, very well in this chamber for a very, very long time. Both Liberal and Labor governments have been in exactly that situation. It seems to have served both and, importantly, served oppositions, including Independent members. So, no, the government does not support this. I have noticed, Mr Speaker, that you very regularly call Independent members when they rise to seek the call to ask a question. I have not been told of any dissatisfaction by any of them with the way that you acknowledge them and give them opportunities to ask their questions. I say again the government does not support this proposal.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens) (12:08): I think this is an inspired decision by the crossbench. Accountability is exactly what this government needs, especially with its newfound minority status. Given that it is in minority, it is important that the house hold it truly to account, and the best way to hold ministers to account, while they are in minority but still holding executive office, is question time.

In question time, it is important that we have a diverse range of questions affecting a diverse range of people, and the crossbench are often overlooked with one or two questions, as best as the Speaker can, because the opposition, being the alternative government, offering an opposition to the government, often take up much of the time in question time.

This ensures that the crossbench get to represent their communities, given that they now truly hold the balance of power in this parliament, as our constitution holds. I think it is an inspired choice. As my friend the member for Lee, the shadow treasurer, says, often question time is consumed with the government asking questions of itself, which is high farce under any scenario and something I was also embarrassed about myself. However, here we are. I look forward to supporting this motion moved by the member for Florey.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (12:10): As I said, this motion is no reflection on either your good self, sir, or former Speaker Tarzia, who I am sure will recall this was brought to his attention very early in the first few days of this current session. This is not a new request and this is in no way designed to not favour either side of the house.

Members of the crossbench should not have to be held to the beck and call of the whims of question time and be overlooked if the whole thing gets completely out of hand, which it can often, sir, again despite your best efforts. I look forward to the support of the house in making sure this becomes a reality.

Motion carried.

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