MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR’S DISMAL QUESTION TIME PERFORMANCE

PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Manager of Opposition Business in the House

MEDIA RELEASE

7 June 2024

LABOR’S DISMAL QUESTION TIME PERFORMANCE

The Albanese Labor Government answers far fewer Opposition questions than the former Coalition Government did.

Between 14 May and 6 June 2024, Labor answered an average of 7.3 Opposition questions each sitting day before Mr Albanese shut down question time.

This compares to 9.2 questions on average answered by the Coalition between 24 May and 24 June 2021.

“The Prime Minister promised greater transparency before taking office, but it was obviously an empty promise,” Manager of Opposition Business in the House Paul Fletcher said.

These figures follow a dismal track record of Labor consistently undermining the role and effectiveness of the House of Representatives. This has included:

• Upon coming to government in 2022, Labor issued a sitting timetable which saw the parliament sit for only 40 days in 2022, compared to 67 days in 2021.
• The Prime Minister cancelled a sitting week in September 2022, citing the death of Queen Elizabeth II as his excuse.
• He also cancelled a sitting week in October 2023, citing his overseas travel plans as his excuse.
• Labor scheduled only 17 sitting weeks in 2024, a very light program by historical standards.
• The Albanese Government answered 43 per cent fewer Opposition questions in the House of Representatives question time in 2023 than the previous Coalition Government.

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]