Northern Territory Government Refuses To Answer Tough Questions

The repeated failure of Government Ministers to answer questions put to them by members of the Opposition prompted a dissent motion in Parliament today.

"Ministers have an obligation to answer questions in a frank and factual manner and that obligation isn't being fulfilled at the moment," says Terry Mills, Leader of the Opposition.

"Too much time, effort and money is being wasted on Ministerial answers that are deliberately evasive and of inordinate length.

"Ministers are paid handsomely by the public to act in the public interest which includes explaining the reasons for Government actions.

"The Henderson Government arrogantly believes it is above this duty.

"It was ironic that the day the Government committed to creating a more open Parliament, it moved to gag the debate on requiring Ministers to actually answer the questions put to them.

"The debate also highlighted how little grasp the Leader of Government Business, Delia Lawrie, has of Standing Orders.

"In quick succession Minister Lawrie sought to shut down Question Time and move to Government Business despite the fact there was another 20 minutes of question time to go.

"The correct course of action was for question time to resume – something that wouldn't have happened if the Minister for Government Business was to get her way."

2008-10-28