Change Your Impact 2021: Question Time Companion

CHANGE YOUR IMPACT 2021

Question Time Companion

Date: Wednesday 23 June 2021 Time: 9:30am—11:30am

What is Question Time?

Question Time is an opportunity for MPs to question government ministers about portfolios for which they are responsible for. These questions are asked at the start of business (10:00am).

Question Time begins with the Speaker calling for questions without notice and asking "are there any questions?" The first question always comes from the Opposition. The Government and the Opposition then takes turns putting questions to the Premier or relevant ministers.

'Dorothy Dix' questions are often asked by the Government's own Members. Dorothy Dix was an advice columnist in the USA. Her reputed practice of framing questions herself to allow her to publish prepared answers gave rise to the Australian term 'Dorothy Dixer', an expression widely used in Australia to refer to a question from a member of Parliament to a minister that enables the minister to make an announcement in the form of a reply.

These types of questions are a tactic employed by the Government to ensure they get to make what they view as positive announcements during question time and, at times, to delay questions from the Opposition on topics that are currently causing issues for the Government.

Speaker of the House The Speaker of the House is in charge of proceedings and ensuring everything runs fairly. The Speaker does not vote unless there is a tie.

The Speaker's vote is not often required and is traditionally a fait accompli in favour of the Government. During the previous Parliament, recently defeated Liberal-turned-Independent Member for Clark, Sue Hickey, broke this tradition after gazumping retired MP Rene Hidding for the role of Speaker and voting with Labor and the Greens on legislation before the House, in particular around social issues such as birth certificate gender reform.

Sue's ability to make open determinations of specific votes in the event of a tie was blunted with the return of Laborturned-Independent-turned-Liberal Member for Clark Madeleine Ogilvie to the Tasmanian Parliament.

With a majority Liberal Government voted in for the third term at the recent Tasmanians State Election on 1 May 2021, Premier Peter Gutwein would be hoping that his planned choice of Speaker, long-serving Liberal Mark Shelton's, time in the Speaker's chair will be less turbulent.

Watch for: Backbenchers proving their worth/loyalty by asking 'Dorothy Dixers'.

Government Members emphasising what they'll get done in the 'first 100 days' and taking pot shots at recent Labor leadership uncertainty.

Members calling 'Points of Order' to interrupt a meandering/avoiding answer.

Liberal Candidate for Speaker of the House of Assembly, The Hon Mark Shelton MP

Electorate: Lyons

Born: 20 February 1959, Launceston, Tasmania Occupations: Politician, Mayor of Meander Valley Council

Who's Who: Liberal Government

The Liberal Government is led by the Premier with a Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Leader of the House and Ministers of Cabinet.

Newer members of the Liberal Government are generally not part of the ministry and are referred to as 'backbenchers'.

Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Peter Gutwein MP Electorate: Bass Treasurer Minister for Tourism Minister for Climate Change

Born: 21 December 1964, England, United Kingdom Education: Deakin University Occupations: Politician, financial adviser, hotelier

Deputy Premier of Tasmania, the Hon Jeremy Rockliff MP Electorate: Braddon Minister for Health Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister for Community Services and Development Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries

Born: 5 February 1970, Devonport, Tasmania Occupations: Politician, farmer Education: Launceston Church Grammar School (Senior Campus), Lincoln University

Leader of the House, the Hon Michael Ferguson MP Electorate: Bass Minister for State Development Construction and Housing Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Finance Minister for Science and Technology

Born: 23 March 1974, Burnie, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, teacher

The Hon Elise Archer MP Electorate: Clark Attorney-General Minister for Justice Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs Minister for Corrections Minister for Arts

Born: 25 March 1971, Launceston, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, lawyer

Who's Who: Liberal Government

The Hon Roger Jaensch MP Electorate: Braddon Minister for State Growth Minister for the Environment Minister for Local Government and Planning Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Minister for Heritage

Born: 22 April 1971, Ferntree Gully, Victoria Occupations: Politician, agricultural scientist

The Hon Guy Barnett MP Electorate: Lyons Minister for Trade Minister for Primary Industries and Water Minister for Energy and Emissions Reductions Minister for Resources Minister for Veterans’ Affairs

Born: 5 April 1962, Launceston, Tasmania Education: Launceston Church Grammar School, Geelong Grammar School, University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, lawyer, public relations

The Hon Sarah Courtney MP Electorate: Bass Minister for Education Minister for Skills Training and Workforce Growth Minister for Disability Services Minister for Children and Youth Minister for Hospitality and Events

Born: 1979, Sydney, New South Wales Education: University of Sydney, University of Melbourne Occupation: Politician, viticulturist, financial analyst

The Hon Jacquie Petrusma MP Electorate: Franklin Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Management Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Minister for Parks

Born: 23 March 1966, Launceston, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania

Who's Who: Liberal Government

John Tucker MP Electorate: Lyons Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Government Whip

Born: 22 January 1975, Hobart, Tasmania Occupations: Politician, farmer

Felix Ellis MP Electorate: Braddon Re-elected on a countback following the resignation of Adam Brooks

Born: 22 January 1990, Brisbane, Queensland Occupations: Politician, political advisor, plumber

Madeleine Oglilvie MP Electorate: Clark Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Formerly a Labor MP and an Independent MP, Ogilvie ran for the Legislative Council in 2019 as a Independent before being re-elected to the House of Assembly on a countback following the resignation of Scott Bacon. Upon her return to Parliament, Ogilvie chose to sit as an Independent before joining the Liberal Party in the lead up to the 2021 State Election.

Born: 25 January 1969, Hobart, Tasmania Education: University of Melbourne, University of Tasmania, University of New South Wales Occupations: Politician, lawyer Relations: Peter Underwood (dec.) (stepfather), Eric Ogilvie (dec.) (grandfather)

Nic Street MP Electorate: Franklin Liberal Candidate for Deputy Speaker

Born: 1979, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, supermarket operator

Who's Who: Labor Opposition

The Labor Opposition is led by the Leader of the Opposition with the Deputy Leader, Shadow Treasurer, Leader of Opposition Business and Shadow Ministers of Cabinet. Former Labor leader Rebecca White (2017-21) stepped aside following the recent election loss. The Labor Party held an internal election to decide its leader following the nomination of David O'Byrne (left faction) and Shane Broad (right faction) for the role. On 15 June 2021, the Labor Party announced O'Byrne had won the leadership contest with 74% of the vote, becoming the Labor Party's 20th leader in the state. Expect the Liberals to make much of perceived leadership 'instability' during Question Time.

Leader of the Opposition, David O'Byrne MP Electorate: Franklin Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shadow Minister for Economic Development Shadow Minister for Tourism Shadow Minister for Climate Change

Born: 17 March 1969, Launceston, Tasmania Relations: Michelle O'Byrne (sister) Education: University of Adelaide Occupation: Politician, union leader

Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Anita Dow MP Electorate: Braddon Shadow Minister for Housing and Construction Shadow Minister for Building and Consumer Affairs Shadow Minister for Local Government and Planning Shadow Minister for Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries

Born: Burnie, Tasmania Occupations: Politician, Mayor of Burnie City Council, nurse

Shadow Treasurer, Rebecca White MP Electorate: Lyons Shadow Minister for Hospitality and Events

Born: 4 February 1983, Hobart, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania Occupation: Politician, political adviser

*NEW* Leader of Opposition Business, Dean Winter MP Electorate: Franklin Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Shadow Minister for Finance Shadow Minister for Science and Technology and ICT Shadow Minister for Racing

Born: 4 May 1985 Occupations: Politician, Mayor of Kingborough Council, ICT management

Who's Who: Labor Opposition

Jen Butler MP Electorate: Lyons

Relations: Heather Butler (mother)

Ella Haddad MP Electorate: Clark Shadow Attorney-General Shadow Minister for Justice Shadow Minister for Corrections Shadow Minister for Equality and Multicultural Affairs

Born: 1 February 1978, Melbourne, Victoria Education: University of Tasmania Occupation: Politician, political adviser

Michelle O'Byrne MP Electorate: Bass Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Shadow Minister for Women Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Shadow Minister for Heritage, the Arts and Creative Industries Party Whip

Born: 6 March 1968, Launceston, Tasmania Relations: David O'Byrne (brother) Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, trade unionist, political adviser

Dr Shane Broad MP Electorate: Braddon Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Water Shadow Minister for Resources Shadow Minister for Trade Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs

Born: 21 August 1974, Burnie, Tasmania Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, agricultural scientist, rower

Who's Who: Labor Opposition

*NEW* Janie Finlay MP Electorate: Bass Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader with responsibility for Small Business, Start Ups and the Northern Economy

Occupations: Politician, Mayor of Launceston City Council

Who's Who: Tasmanian Greens

Leader of the Tasmanian Greens, Cassy O'Connor MP Electorate: Clark Aboriginal Affairs, Animal Welfare, Community Development, Education, Skills and Training, Employment, Trade and Economic Development, Federal State Relations, Forests and Mining, Human Services, Infrastructure, Transport and Population, Parks, Public Lands and Heritage, Primary Industries, Sport and Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality, Treasury, Workplace Relations

Born: 1 April 1967, Canberra, Australia Occupations: Politician, journalist

Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP Electorate: Franklin Arts, Attorney-General, Building and Construction, Climate Change, Consumer Protection, Corrections, Energy, Environment, Health, Justice, Local Government, Planning, Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Science and IT, Small Business, Water

Education: Australian National University, University of Canberra Occupations: Politician, epidemiologist

By the numbers: The current seat distribution of the House of Assembly (25 seats in total) is Liberal 13, Labor 9, Greens 2 and Independent 1.

Who's Who: Independents

*NEW* Kristie Johnston MP Electorate: Clark

Education: University of Tasmania Occupations: Politician, Mayor of Glenorchy City Council, criminologist, lawyer

Electorate Map

Division of Bass

Division of Braddon

Division of Clark

Division of Franklin

Division of Lyons

Useful Sites tec.tas.gov.au

Results of Local and State Government Elections

kevinbonham.blogspot.com

parliament.tas.gov.au

Electoral, polling and political analysis

Official State Parliament website with live feed of all Parliamentary sessions

Parliament Structure House of Assembly (Lower House) Most legislation is initiated in the House of Assembly, which has 25 members. The party or coalition with a majority of seats in the House of Assembly is invited by the Governor of Tasmania to form Government. The leader of that party becomes the Premier of Tasmania, and his/her senior colleagues become ministers responsible for various portfolios. As Australian politicians traditionally vote along party lines, most legislation introduced by the governing party will be passed by the House of Assembly.

Legislative Council (Upper House) The Tasmanian Legislative Council is the Upper House of the Tasmanian Parliament. It has 15 members, each elected from a single-member electoral division. It is largely a house of review, meaning it scrutinises Bills that come through the House of Assembly and is able to amend Bills and send them back to the Lower House for further debate.