Can backbenchers ask questions during question time?

Thanks for your question.

Backbenchers certainly can ask questions during Question Time and often do. It gives them an opportunity to ask a minister or the Prime Minister a question about an issue which they think is important. They may want to ask about issues that affect their electorate, or their state or territory. They may also ask questions they believe are important to the whole of Australia.

Within the government, it is only the backbenchers who ask questions during Question Time. They ask ministers questions which highlight government policies and achievements. These are prepared prior to Question Time and are known as 'Dorothy Dixers'.

Opposition backbenchers, shadow ministers and the Leader of the Opposition also ask questions during Question Time. These are likely to be tough and designed to test ministers' capacity to answer quickly and confidently. Members of the crossbench – those who are not part of the government or opposition – are also allocated time to ask questions.