ALBANESE OPPOSES PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY

MEDIA RELEASE

5 September 2022

ALBANESE OPPOSES PARLIAMENTARY SCRUTINY

A push to extend the duration of Question Time has been rejected by the Albanese Government.

The proposal, moved by the Opposition with support from members of the crossbench, would have required Question Time to extend until 3.30 PM each day.

Manager of Opposition Business in the House, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Albanese Government had used its numbers in Parliament to block accountability.

“The vote was lost 73-70, with the government using its numbers to overcome a united position form the Opposition and the crossbench.

“Question Time is key to holding the government to account on critical issues, like their refusal to address the rising cost of living for Australian families,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Prior to the election, the Prime Minister promised to “change the way” we do politics by avoiding soundbites and “actually answering questions”.

“But today’s action from the Prime Minister clearly highlights his promises on accountability were as hollow as his promise, quickly dropped, to lower energy bills by $275.

“A pattern has quickly formed when it comes to this Prime Minister and government dodging scrutiny.

“Only a few weeks ago, the government gave itself the power to force bills through the Parliament under a new gag procedure, triggered by a Minister simply declaring a Bill to be ‘urgent.’

Today they were up to the same tricks.

ENDS