Who decides who gets to ask questions during question time?
In both the Senate and House of Representatives, the first question always comes from the opposition. Questions then alternate between the government and opposition. Minor party and independent – crossbench – members of parliament are also given the opportunity to ask questions.
The Senate, through convention, has agreed that questions will be asked in proportion to the parties and independents in the Senate. The President keeps a question time roster which means minor party and independent senators are notified in advance of their allotted opportunities to ask questions.
The House of Representatives has decided that priority be given to a crossbench member on the fifth, thirteenth and twenty-first questions during each day's question time. The members of the crossbench decide themselves who will take these allotted question spots.
Within each party, the Whips help arrange an internal process to decide who asks which question on behalf of their party. The President or the Speaker generally observes the order as agreed to by the senators or members.
Question Time in the House of Representatives
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au), DPS AUSPIC
Question Time in the House of Representatives
Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au), DPS AUSPIC
Description
This image shows the main people involved in Question Time in the House of Representatives:
- An opposition member asks the Prime Minister a question
- The Prime Minister answers the opposition member's question
- A Government member asks a minister a question
- The minister answer the government member's question.
Questions to the Prime Minister and ministers continue alternating between government and non-government members.
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