What is a Dorothy Dix question? And what is she doing in Parliament?
Thank you for your question, Cliff.
Dorothy Dix was a popular advice columnist who was rumoured to sometimes write the questions she answered. You won’t find her in the Australian Parliament but a type of question asked during Question Time is named after her.
A ‘Dorothy Dixer’ is a question asked of a government minister by a government backbencher. Unlike questions asked by the opposition—which are intended to closely examine the work of the government—Dorothy Dixers are designed to highlight government policies and achievements.
Ministers know in advance that a Dorothy Dixer is going to be asked. This gives them time to prepare a response. Like the real Dorothy Dix, they may have even written the question themselves.
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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