The Speaker

When you are led in by the Serjeant-at-Arms, sit down and say:

  • Members, please sit down. The House is now in session. The rules of the House must be obeyed. Clerk, please read out therules.

After the Clerk has read out the rules, say:

  • Questions without notice will now be taken.

I will take one question from each side of the House in turn, starting with the opposition.

Members with a question please stand

I call the Member for...... (use their first name) to ask a question.

Wait for the question to be asked.

  • I call the Minister for...... to answer the question.

Go back to ‘Members with a question please stand’ and repeat the steps above until the time for questions has run out, and then say:

  • Order, I call the Prime Minister.

After the Prime Minister has spoken, say:

  • The Prime Minister has moved that further questions be placed on the notice paper. The time for questions has concluded.

The Clerk

To begin the session stand up, ring the bell and say:

  • Honourable members, please stand.

When the Speaker asks you to read the rules, stand up and say:

  • Always stand up to speak.

Begin with the words ‘Madam Speaker’ or ‘Mr Speaker’ when you speak.

Members should not interrupt each other.

Questions must be to the relevant minister.

Questions must be short and direct.

Answers must be relevant to the question.

Serjeant-at-arms

When the Clerk rings the bell, lead the Speaker into the chamber, carrying the Mace on your right shoulder.

Say:

  • Honourable members, the Speaker.

Place the Mace on the table, and then sit down.

Prime Minister

  • Mr/Madam Speaker,

I thank the Member for for this question. The government believes that

When the time for questions has expired, the Speaker will call on you to bring Question Time to an end. Say:

  • I move that further questions be placed on the notice paper.

leader of the opposition

To ask a minister a question, begin like this:

  • Mr / Madam Speaker,

My question is addressed to the Minister for . Why is the government ?

minister for

To respond to a question, begin like this:

  • Mr / Madam Speaker,

I thank the honourable member for this question. The government .

member FOR

You are a shadow minister, back bencher (government or opposition), or an independent member

To ask a minister a question, begin like this:

  • Mr / Madam Speaker,

I direct my question to the Minister for . ?

SCRIPT SET – Question Time in the House of Representatives