Question Time AU

General Debate

Question Time

Senate · Monday 3 November 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on a Liberal Party motion to suspend standing orders to change the Question Time call order, citing the government's failure to produce the Lynelle Briggs report. The government rejected the motion as a stunt, arguing that cabinet confidentiality protocols required the report to be considered internally before release. Crossbench senators criticised the breakdown of parliamentary conventions and the major parties' inability to manage Question Time effectively, though they did not support the specific suspension motion. The government maintained that it had answered more orders for production than any previous administration and urged cross-chamber cooperation to restore normal proceedings.

Outcome

The motion to suspend standing orders was not supported by the Greens or independent senators, and the government opposed it, leading to the continuation of existing procedures pending further cross-chamber discussion.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Anne Ruston (SA) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Ruston argued that the government was abusing its power by refusing to comply with Senate orders to release the Lynelle Briggs report, which had been promised over two years prior. Ruston contended that the government's lack of transparency and refusal to adhere to the will of the chamber constituted an urgent matter requiring the suspension of standing orders. Ruston cited previous comments by Penny Wong regarding government arrogance to highlight the inconsistency in the current administration's stance on accountability. Ruston asserted that the government's behaviour undermined the sovereignty of the Senate and the public's right to information regarding energy policy and public sector appointments.

Government response

Penny Wong (Minister for Foreign Affairs; Leader of the Government in the Senate) ALP SA

Wong dismissed the motion as a political stunt rather than an urgent matter, noting that she had never witnessed a party of government inviting a crossbench member to act as Leader of the Opposition. Wong stated that the government was open to discussing the order of call through conversation across the chamber, but criticised the opposition for not taking that approach. Wong emphasised that the government was prepared to engage in dialogue to resolve procedural issues, contrasting this with what she described as the opposition's disruptive tactics. Wong maintained that the current approach was not conducive to the long-term interests of the parliament.

Opposition response

Jonathon Duniam (Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry; Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning; Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Liberal TAS

Duniam argued that the motion was necessary to address the government's systemic aversion to transparency and its refusal to release documents ordered by the Senate. Duniam highlighted that the catalyst for the debate was the government's failure to produce the Lynelle Briggs report, which had led to a record-breaking Question Time session. Duniam criticised ministers for providing brief, unhelpful answers and for attempting to dictate the order of questions to senators. Duniam urged the Greens and independent senators to reconsider their position, asserting that the government was rejecting democratic rights and failing to uphold election promises regarding transparency.