A look at the tactics of primary questions during Question Time, with help from Grant Robertson, Judith Collins and Gerry Brownlee.
Question Time is one of the most public (though probably not most effective), ways that Parliament keeps an eye on the actions of its chosen executive.
But watching them try can be both confusing and frustrating as questions are repeated, evaded, avoided and ruled outside the rules.
Questioners tactics vary wildly, but never so much as whether to start wide, or go in narrow and early. In this article (and audio - below) retiring MP Grant Robertson reflects on his approach, what works when, why MPs change their tactics and the impact of the Speaker. We also look at how tactical opinions change when an MP moves across the House, and at the role and approach of the Speaker.
General versus specific primary questions
Discussion of Question Time usually alludes to general or specific primary questions. A primary question is the first of a series of questions that an MP asks - usually of a minister.
A general primary question is usually a version of: "Does he stand by all his statements and actions". They are incredibly common.
Specific primary questions vary enormously, but as an example on Thursday 28th March Priyanca Radhakrishnan asked the minister for Disability Issues the very specific question: "Did the reports she received from Whaikaha that she referred to in her answer to question No. 4 yesterday contain figures of those who used disability support funding for pedicures and massages, or did they just contain anecdotal evidence?"
They can be a lot shorter. For example, while chasing the same issue the previous day, Chris Hipkins asked the Prime Minister: "Does he have confidence in the Minister for Disability Issues?"
The ministers answering questions get a few hours warning of what the primary question will be, when the day's primary questions are published here.
Pros and Cons of general versus specific primary questions
Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages. The general opening question approach gives very little warning of what the follow-up questions (supplementaries) will ask about; which makes it much harder to prepare good answers.
But, with less warning and less preparation there is usually more leeway given by the Speaker in deciding whether the answers suffice. General openers may allow much more waffly and unspecific answers (though Speaker's expectations vary enormously).
Specific primaries give prior warning so ministers should come better prepared and MPs would hope, be held to a higher standard of answers. Sometimes they are.
Grant Robertson in full flight during his valedictory speech…