Leader of the Opposition

LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA
​
MEDIA RELEASE
22th April 2020

No question time in Parliament shows Gunner Government hubris and arrogance
​The Gunner Government’s decision to cancel question time during Friday’s sitting of Parliament shows excessive hubris and arrogance, Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said today.
“The fact that the Gunner Government thinks that question time should be on the scrapheap is disgraceful. It is a deliberate decision to avoid answering tough questions,” Mrs Finocchiaro said.
“The Gunner Government is happy to try and slam through legislation with minimal scrutiny, but when it comes to openness, accountability and transparency, it will do everything in its power to cover-up and squash debate. It’s just not on.
“The Chief Minister has cancelled question time, because the Federal Government won’t be there to tell him what to do.
“There will be no Budget before the election, no pre-election budget update, there is no certainty around future parliamentary sittings after Friday and now no question time.
“The Government can’t try and hide behind logistical necessities as a reason for cancelling question time. If Parliament is good enough to go ahead, question time is good enough to go ahead.
“The Gunner Government should be welcoming more scrutiny at this time of crisis, not less. It should actually support a question time with no questions from Government members like it does on regular sitting Wednesdays.
“The Gunner Government just wants to shut out any criticism or alternative views and the Chief Minister should hang his head in shame for the dictatorial way he’s making decisions.
“Hiding behind COVID-19 as a shield to avoid scrutiny is insincere,” Mrs Finocchiaro concluded.
ENDS

"Only together can we build a better Territory for you and your family.”

- LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA, Leader of the Country Liberal Party and member for Spillett