Premier Jeremy Rockliff keen to abolish Dorothy Dixer questions in parliament
Premier Jeremy Rockliff wants to abolish so-called Dorothy Dixer questions in the House of Assembly as state parliament is set to equal a record low. Details >>
Tasmania
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The House of Assembly will meet for just 33 ordinary sitting days in 2024, equalling a record for the lowest number of scheduled sitting days that has stood since 2006.
Parliament will resume on May 14 after a break of just over five months which included a state election, according to a sitting schedule released by the government.
There are an additional seven days of budget estimates and government business enterprise hearings.
There are 33 ordinary scheduled sitting days, equalling a low set in 2021 during the Covid pandemic. There were 32 ordinary scheduled sitting days in 2006.
The 2024-25 state budget will be handed down well into the financial year: on September 12.
The new Cabinet met for the first time on Tuesday. Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced he was planning reforms to stop government backbenchers wasting time by asking set-piece questions of ministers during question time.
“As I have said, the increased parliament presents an opportunity to ensure parliament operates efficiently and in the best interests of Tasmanians.
“Today, I also discussed with Cabinet my intention to work productively with the Opposition, Leader of the Greens, JLN and independents to reform the way parliamentary business is undertaken,” he said.
“While the Standing Orders are ultimately a matter for parliament, our government will put forward the recommendation to do away with ‘Dorothy Dixers’ and replace them with constituent questions to give Tasmanians further access to the Tasmanian Parliament,” he said.
“I look forward to working with all Members of parliament to deliver a functioning parliament that acts in and has the best interests of Tasmanians at all times.”
Dorothy Dixer questions refer to the long-establish practice where government members ask questions of ministers during Question Time which allow them to waste time by giving longwinded answers which present the government in a positive light.
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