Parliament's Speaker has outlined his approach to Question Time
The Speaker's role and approach are crucial to Parliament's good functioning. Gerry Brownlee has outlined to MPs what approach he will take in enforcing Parliament's rules regarding Question Time.
Gerry Brownlee has begun Parliament's week by outlining his approach as Speaker to Question Time.
Each Speaker tends to come at their job with slightly different interpretations of Parliament's many rules. Brownlee had promised he would give guidance as to his own approach after a combative first full week of Question Time.
Listen to the radio version of this story with audio from Parliament
Each Speaker's approach has a huge impact on how, and how well, Parliament undertakes its core role of being a check on the Executive.
Here is Gerry Brownlee's ruling (in bold) with with notes and explanations.
"Members, as I suggested last week, I want to set out my approach to the answering of parliamentary questions. It's well established that Ministers are expected to answer questions unless they consider it not in the public interest to do so: Speaker's ruling 199/3. The public interest test is a high one and should be used sparingly: Speaker's ruling 200/1."
Note: Re The Public Interest - There are a few reasons within this 'out' that might lead ministers not to answer a question. They include something that is sub-judice (being considered by a court), not wanting to prejudice a current police operation, privacy, commercial sensitivity, and national security.
Gerry Brownlee continued...
"Ministers are accountable to the House for the public office they hold and should, therefore, endeavour to give informative replies: Speakers' ruling 200/6. That is the cornerstone of responsible Government."
Notes: Re 'Responsible Government' - The phrase 'Responsible Government' does not refer to a government acting responsibly. It seems unlikely that anyone would agree what that might look like. It refers to the fact that every government is responsible to parliament. Parliament is the boss, so answers aren't just ministers being polite to pesky opposition MPs, they are actually responding to someone who is in part - their overseer. The Parliament chooses the Executive from among its members, and can also remove them from office.
"Informative answers" is a very generous description of many ministers' responses.
Gerry Brownlee continued..…