Media Release - LABOR VOTE AGAINST MORE QUESTION TIME TRANSPARENCY - AGAIN - 3 Feb 26

The Hon Alex Hawke MP
Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation
Manager of Opposition Business in the House

LABOR VOTE AGAINST MORE QUESTION TIME TRANSPARENCY - AGAIN

For the second time this parliamentary term, the Albanese Labor Government has chosen to arrogantly shut down more Question Time scrutiny by blocking reforms to the Standing Orders.

Today in the House of Representatives, Manager of Opposition Business Alex Hawke moved a motion which, if passed, would have seen Question Time end only after the Opposition had asked at least eight questions of the Government.

Instead, Labor’s latest changes to the Standing Orders will mean that, in effect, the Opposition will only be able to ask around 4 to 5 questions per Question Time. The Prime Minister decides when to end Question Time, and therefore how many questions are asked.

According to new data from the House of Representatives Procedure Office, not since the 37th Parliament have so few questions without notice been permitted to be asked of the Government by the Opposition.

Mr Hawke said Labor was treating Question Time with contempt.

“Labor’s super-majority means the Parliament’s role of holding Labor to account is more important than ever,” Mr Hawke said.

“Today, Labor had a simple choice: have a proper Question Time or not. True to form, they decided they would rather face less questions from the Opposition.

“You have to go back more than three decades to see when Question Time was last treated with such little respect by a sitting government.

“Whether it’s their friendless changes to Freedom of Information laws, failing to respond to committee reports, or shutting down debate in our national Parliament, Labor is desperate to avoid scrutiny.”

On 23 July 2025, Mr Hawke moved a comprehensive package of parliamentary reforms, including changes to the operation of Question Time. Labor voted against these reforms.

ENDS