Mr BURKE - 2002-10-15
Traditionally, Question Time is the time for members to ask questions of government. Certainly, we in opposition treasure that opportunity. Today, however, the most important issue facing us is the tragic events of last weekend in which many Australians and other nationals lost their lives or were injured in the events in Bali. Given these grave circumstances, we consider it appropriate to give up the privilege of Question Time and proceed immediately with a joint Motion of Condolence. I ask the Chief Minister if you will agree to this, and that the parliamentary broadcast be continued to accommodate the broadcast of the first two speeches, being yourself and myself.
ANSWER
I hope I am not speaking too prematurely on behalf of the Chief Minister, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the genuine sentiment that the Leader of the Opposition has brought into the House in relation to Question Time. He is aware, however, that Question Time is broadcast to Territorians. There are a couple of questions off the top, the answers to which the government believes include important information to go out to the Territory via Question Time broadcasts.
Whilst I accept what the Leader of the Opposition is saying, the government would want to proceed with its top three or four questions that provide accurate and timely advice in relation to the events of last weekend and what has occurred since. It is appropriate that Territorians have the opportunity to hear that information via Question Time. At the end of those three or four questions, we would be happy to go straight to the motion and the broadcasting of the first two speakers. I would have thought there would be ample time for that to occur within the time set for Question Time.
Mr BURKE: Madam Speaker, I heard what the Leader of Government Business said. There was an opportunity for it this morning in a Ministerial Report for which broadcast media were here. I would have thought that those sentiments could have been expressed as part of the Chief Minister or other ministers’ contributions to the joint motion. However, if that is the will of government, the government controls the Chamber and I just hope that we can move on to the joint motion as soon as possible.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, may I make the suggestion that perhaps if Question Time is not held today that it is held for two hours tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: I am in the hands of the Assembly. Leader of Government Business, do you wish to pursue Question Time?
Mr STIRLING: Madam Speaker, I think the Leader of the Opposition, maybe somewhat reluctantly, agrees that this is the process, if the government takes the first three questions by way of getting that information out to the listening public and then proceed immediately to the Condolence Motion so that there is an opportunity for broadcast of the contributions of the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
ANSWER
I hope I am not speaking too prematurely on behalf of the Chief Minister, Madam Speaker. I appreciate the genuine sentiment that the Leader of the Opposition has brought into the House in relation to Question Time. He is aware, however, that Question Time is broadcast to Territorians. There are a couple of questions off the top, the answers to which the government believes include important information to go out to the Territory via Question Time broadcasts.
Whilst I accept what the Leader of the Opposition is saying, the government would want to proceed with its top three or four questions that provide accurate and timely advice in relation to the events of last weekend and what has occurred since. It is appropriate that Territorians have the opportunity to hear that information via Question Time. At the end of those three or four questions, we would be happy to go straight to the motion and the broadcasting of the first two speakers. I would have thought there would be ample time for that to occur within the time set for Question Time.
Mr BURKE: Madam Speaker, I heard what the Leader of Government Business said. There was an opportunity for it this morning in a Ministerial Report for which broadcast media were here. I would have thought that those sentiments could have been expressed as part of the Chief Minister or other ministers’ contributions to the joint motion. However, if that is the will of government, the government controls the Chamber and I just hope that we can move on to the joint motion as soon as possible.
Mr WOOD (Nelson): Madam Speaker, may I make the suggestion that perhaps if Question Time is not held today that it is held for two hours tomorrow.
Madam SPEAKER: I am in the hands of the Assembly. Leader of Government Business, do you wish to pursue Question Time?
Mr STIRLING: Madam Speaker, I think the Leader of the Opposition, maybe somewhat reluctantly, agrees that this is the process, if the government takes the first three questions by way of getting that information out to the listening public and then proceed immediately to the Condolence Motion so that there is an opportunity for broadcast of the contributions of the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016