Ministers’ question time leave pass bid shot down by angry opposition

The Liberals have abandoned an attempt to let some ministers dodge House of Assembly question time after the idea was vehemently opposed by non-government MPs.

Minister Kerry Vincent. Question time in the Tasmanian House of Assembly. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Liberals have abandoned an attempt to let some ministers dodge House of Assembly question time after the idea was vehemently opposed by non-government MPs.

Legislative Councillors who hold ministerial portfolios have attended House of Assembly question time and answered questions since around 2008.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff recently wrote to Speaker the House of Assembly Michelle O’Byrne and President of the Legislative Council Craig Farrell, advising them of his desire for

ministers from the Legislative Council to skip question time on days when the lower house was sitting but the upper house wasn’t — around four weeks of the year.

The change would have brought the Tasmanian parliament in line with the federal parliament — where Senators who are ministers take questions in that chamber only.

Liberal ministers in the Legislative Council Nick Duigan, Jo Palmer and Kerry Vincent.

There are currently three Liberal ministers in the Legislative Council: Minister for Energy and Renewables, Parks, and Sports and Events Nick Duigan; Minister for Education, Disability services, Women and the Prevention of Violence Jo Palmer; and Minister for Infrastructure, and Local Government Kerry Vincent.

But the idea was dropped after opposition from non-government members.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff was unimpressed by the Premier’s attempt.

“We thought we’d seen it all when it comes to this government’s lack of accountability and evasion of scrutiny – but generously compensated Liberal MLCs trying to weasel out of coming to Question Time is next level,” she said.

Greens leader Doctor Rosalie Woodruff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“While Liberal ministers are paid $240,000 a year, and provided government drivers, it’s not all beer and skittles – they’re also expected to show up to question time.

“Being scrutinised by the parliament is a key part of being a government minister. If you don’t want to answer questions, don’t take the job.

“There are only 12 days in 2025 where the House of Assembly sits and not the Legislative Council, and question time takes about 1.5 hours.

“If the $240K and the chauffeur aren’t enough to make up for the 18 hours work, maybe they need a career change.”

Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly Shane Broad said his party did not support the proposal.

“Tasmanian Labor does not support allowing Ministers to avoid their responsibility to answer questions in parliament,” he said.

If showing up to parliament Question Time is too much for Upper House Ministers, they can always resign their commissions.

A government spokeswoman said Mr Rockliff has consulted with non-government MPs before determining there was not widespread support and withdrew the proposal.

“The government has welcomed the added level of scrutiny and questioning of Ministers to this parliament by removing Dorothy Dix questions and adding supplementary questions,” the woman said.

“We are committed to ensuring ministers be appropriately scrutinised through Question Time and committees.”

Originally published as Ministers’ question time leave pass bid shot down by angry opposition