Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I think that is a very good point that Senator Evans makes: it would get a very low rating. But at least those who did watch question time could possibly be enticed to watch for the remainder of the day. I am sure there is an age demographic of people who are at home at two in the afternoon who might continue to watch other proceedings of the parliament for the remainder of the day. I know that other countries have facilities for the live broadcasting of parliament over television—not through the internet; we have that facility here, of course. If it were available all day, that might ameliorate at least to some degree the concern that the public have about our question time antics or the theatre that question time has become.

But, in going to the crux of Senator Ferguson’s recommendations and report, I think it is time for this parliament to have a thorough discussion about question time. I think it is time for us to address it in a very serious way. Senator Ferguson’s report is a good starting point. He has really opened up our thought processes. If we can debate this and come up with a better process for question time, if we can establish the credibility of ministers answering questions with a relevant answer—and, as I have indicated, there are many examples on both sides of the chamber—if we could really enhance that process through reform of our standing orders as to how question time is governed and run, I am sure the beneficiaries will be not only this parliament but the country as a whole. The accountability question would then extend from estimates into the chamber as part of the question time process.

I really recommend the report to all senators, because I think every senator needs to read this report. Senator Ferguson has placed one idea clearly on the table, and I think that has some merit. But let us examine other ways, other models, and come up with a way for question time to reflect the seriousness and the importance that this chamber should be portraying.