Legislative Assembly adopts new question time

11 May 2022

Question Time in the NSW Legislative Assembly is operating under new rules, with the House voting yesterday to make historic changes to this longstanding process.

Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly Jonathan O'Dea MP said the new sessional orders would strengthen Question Time's important scrutiny function.
"Question Time has a longstanding and important role in allowing the Parliament to scrutinise the actions and decisions of the Executive," said Mr O’Dea.
"The adoption of this sessional order with bipartisan and crossbench support is a clear indication that the House desires fewer instances of answers straying into unrelated matters.

"I encourage all members to honour the spirit of these changes and make this an effective reform for the NSW Legislative Assembly."

The maximum time for an answer to a question has been reduced from five minutes to three minutes; no question shall be asked after 60 minutes or the answering of 16 questions (whichever is longer); and answers must now be directly relevant, rather than simply relevant, to the question asked.
Under the changes, crossbench members of Parliament are now permitted at least two questions per Question Time, at question number seven and question number 15.

In addition, standing order 131 sets out that points of order taken during an answer to a question should not be vexatious, repetitive, interfering or used to make a statement in response to the answer.

The original motion outlining the changes was moved by the Member for Heffron, Mr Ron Hoenig MP, on 31 March and passed on 10 May 2022, with changes to apply from that date .