Question Time Directs Rare Query To Non-Ministerial MP

Daniela
Maoate-Cox, The House journalist

The
first task for MPs when the House meets at 2pm on a sitting
day is an hour-long barrage of questions at the government
in what is usually a lively exchange, but on Tuesday’s
Question Time had an extra question directed at an MP
outside of the executive.

Up to 12 questions can be
asked of ministers, and they must be lodged in the morning
to give the minister some time to form a response. The
purpose is for MPs to put ministers in the hot seat and
compel them to defend their actions and policies in a public
space.

Common template questions include asking
ministers whether they “stand by all their statements and
actions”, or “what reports/announcements they have seen or
made”.

The first question is typically from the
opposition in an attempt to conceal their line of
questioning and test the minister’s ability to answer on the
spot. The other type is usually from an MP in a government
party, and gives a minister a chance to speak positively
about their work – colloquially referred to as a “patsy”
question because they’re easier to answer.

But
Question Time isn’t limited to just quizzing ministers. Any
MP can be asked a question as long as it is related to their
responsibilities, and this week’s Question Time involved a
question to a chairperson of a select
committee.

Questions to a chairperson of a select
committee must relate to a matter before the committee and a
process or procedure for which the chairperson has
responsibility.

Labour MP Rachel Brooking put forward
a question to the chairperson of the Environment Committee,
National MP Catherine Wedd, on the how much time the public
would have to submit on the
Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill.

“Why did an
advertisement go out in her name allowing only 11 days for
submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill when
there was no instruction from the House for a report
deadline under six months?” Brooking asked.

Wedd said
the shorter time was in line with the rules of Parliament
(outlined in standing orders and the guidebook to how
Parliament works, Parliamentary Practice in New Zealand) and
the government’s timeline to pass the bill by the end of the
year.

“As the chair of the Environment Committee, I
agree, as does the majority of the committee; therefore, as
per Standing Order 198, I set out a timetable to ensure this
expectation is met,” she said.

Questions can also be
asked of MPs but again must be related to their
responsibilities as a member of Parliament. An unlimited
number of questions can be logged to MPs, which once
resulted in an attempt to delay progress in the House by logging
700 questions in one day (98 were accepted but only
seven were answered, because the MP in question wasn’t
there).

Questions are published at about 11:30am on
sitting days and transcribed answers can be found on
Parliament’s website.

RNZ’s The House, with
insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made
with funding from Parliament’s Office of the
Clerk.

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