Reforms to the Victorian Parliament’s Question Time
1. The reforms made to Victorian Parliament’s Question Time in 2015 included the abolition of Dorothy Dix questions in both the upper and lowers chambers, reducing the time for Question Time, the introduction of 2-minute statements about upcoming projects or achievements, the reduction of the number of questions allowed per session, the reduction of time limits for answers to questions, the addition of a requirement for a written response to a question if the response in person is deemed inadequate.
2. Question Time now runs for 30 minutes every sitting day of parliament. It is more frequent than before the election, but it is shorter each time. Ministers make 2-minute statements about their upcoming projects orachievement. Only non-Government MPs can ask questions during Question Time. However, ‘constituency questions’ have been introduced, allowing any MP to ask a minister a question on behalf of her or his electorate. Time limits for answers to questions have been introduced, reducing them to 3 minutes for answers to main questions and 1 minute foranswers to any supplementary, explanatory or follow-up questions. Ministers can be ordered to provide a written response to a question by the next sitting day, if the response in person is inadequate.
3. Responsible government is the principle where the Government is accountable to the people through the parliament. These changes abolish Dorothy Dix questions in both Chambers of Victorian Parliament, meaning that government will need to become more accountable.€