Source: Radio New Zealand
VNP/Louis Collins
The first task for MPs when the House meets at 2pm on a sitting day is an hour-long barrage of questions at the government in what is usually a lively exchange, but on Thursday’s Question Time had an extra question directed at an MP outside of the executive.
Up to 12 questions can be asked of ministers, and they must be lodged in the morning to give the minister some time to form a response. The purpose is for MPs to put ministers in the hot seat and compel them to defend their actions and policies in a public space.
Common template questions include asking ministers whether they “stand by all their statements and actions”, or “what reports/announcements they have seen or made”.
The first question is typically from the opposition in an attempt to conceal their line of questioning and test the minister’s ability to answer on the spot. The other type is usually from an MP in a government party, and gives a minister a chance to speak positively about their work – colloquially referred to as a “patsy” question because they’re easier to answer.
But Question Time isn’t limited to just quizzing ministers. Any MP can be asked a question as long as it is related to their responsibilities, and this week’s Question Time involved a question to a chairperson of a select committee.
Questions to a chairperson of a select committee must relate to a matter before the committee and a process or procedure for which the chairperson has responsibility.
Labour MP Rachel Brooking put forward a question to the chairperson of the Environment Committee, National MP Catherine Wedd, on the how much time the public would have to submit on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.
“Why did an advertisement go out in her name allowing only 11 days for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill when there was no instruction from the House for a report deadline under six months?” Brooking asked.
Wedd said the shorter time was in line with the rules of Parliament (outlined in standing orders and the guidebook to how Parliament works, Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand) and the government’s timeline to pass the bill by the end of the year.
“As the chair of the Environment Committee, I agree, as does the majority of the committee; therefore, as per Standing Order 198, I set out a timetable to ensure this expectation is met,” she said.
Questions can also be asked of MPs but again must be related to their responsibilities as a member of Parliament. An unlimited number of questions can be logged to MPs, which once resulted in an attempt to delay progress in the House by logging 700 questions in one day (98 were accepted but only seven were answered, because the MP in question wasn’t there).
Questions are published at about 11:30am on sitting days and transcribed answers can be found on Parliament’s website.
To listen to The House‘s programme in full, click the link near the top of the page.
RNZ’s The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament’s Office of the Clerk.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
