Parliamentary Question Time Rules Revised Following Coalition Split

Leader of the House Tony Burke has announced changes to the sessional orders governing parliamentary question time. The revisions are prompted by the split within the Coalition, which has resulted in the opposition and crossbench becoming equal in size.

Rationale for Changes

Burke stated that the new procedures are a practical measure to address the current situation in parliament. He also expressed a view regarding the underlying reasons for these procedural updates.

He expressed a view regarding the inability of two parties to manage their relationship, connecting this to the need for procedural updates.

Opposition Response

Manager of Opposition Business Alex Hawke responded by characterizing Burke's statements as unedifying.

Hawke further suggested that the government's actions constituted a 'trick' aimed at defining the National Party as members of the crossbench.