Question Time 03/03/26

Ms BURNET question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF

[11.10 a.m.]

A parliament cannot scrutinise a government when it is not sitting. According to research prepared by the Parliamentary Library, over the past 10 years of your Liberal government, the House of Assembly has sat fewer days per year on average than any other lower House in the country. It also has by far the longest average end-of-year break of any parliament in the country, at 112 days. That is 30 per cent of one year. We know your government doesn't like scrutiny, but at a time when your Treasurer is demanding increased productivity and efficiency from public servants, shouldn't this parliament be leading by example by sitting more days of the year and having shorter end-of-year breaks?

ANSWER

Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question and her diligence in adding up the number of days we have sat in last 10 years, acknowledging we're back here after a reasonable break so people who have gone to the crossbench can have more time to study. Of course, it's important that we are scrutinised, and we welcome that scrutiny. We are a government that has increased accountability‑ despite what many people say ‑ over the last 10 years, particularly when it comes to ministerial accountability, disclosures, RTI reform, Integrity Commission reforms, and in Question Time, where over a majority of those past 12 years we had four of what are called Dorothy Dixers and that took up some time as it was important information that was presented. We allowed more time through negotiation since 2024 to rid ourselves of Dorothy Dixers so there is more opportunity for people such as your good self, member for Clark, to ask questions. Thank you, but I will do my own research and see exactly if those numbers are right, but I appreciate the question.