WRITTEN QUESTIONS
(adopted 15 September 2015)
That, during the current session, unless otherwise ordered, Standing Order 132
shall read as follows:
132. The procedure for written questions is as follows:
(1) Questions shall be handed to one of the Clerks-at-the-Table or lodged in
the Table Office by 12.00 noon on a sitting day for publication in the next
sitting day's paper.
(2) A question containing argument, unbecoming expressions or otherwise not
conforming with the practice of the House may:
(a) Under the authority of the Speaker, be amended by the Clerk or divided
if it contains matters that are not relevant to each other.
(b) Be ordered not to be printed by the Speaker or removed from the Questions
and Answers Paper.
(3) The number of questions able to be lodged over one sitting week are:
(a) Members – Nine questions per sitting week;
(b) Leader of the Opposition – Twelve questions per sitting week.
(4) Ministers shall lodge answers to written questions within 35 calendar days
after the question is first published. On sitting days answers must be
submitted by 12.00 noon on the due date, to be published in the next sitting
day’s paper. Any answers lodged after this time will be published at a
subsequent time. Answers must be signed and lodged in hard copy and also
electronically.
(5) If an answer to a written question is not received within 35 calendar days
the Speaker, at the next sitting day after the expiry date, shall forthwith
inform the House and the Minister shall immediately explain to the House the
reason for non-compliance.
(6) If the Minister, after explanation in the House, has not submitted an
answer within 3 sitting days the Speaker shall again inform the House and the
Minister shall again be called to explain. The Minister will continue to be
called each sitting day until a written answer is submitted. |
