We're still at it, using Senate process to ask the 'inconvenient' questions and exposing government dishonesty and cover-ups
Questioning the government - written questions on notice, questions without notice in Senate Estimates and at 2.00pm each sitting day - is a powerful way of probing the Government on the impact of its policies or lack of them on our lives. The Democrats have always used questions to great effect, asking everything from what exactly are the ground rules on greenhouse to how much of our taxes are spent on Government advertising.
The former Howard Government were masters of the Dorothy Dixer, bloating question time with puff pieces that squeezed out minor parties from asking 'inconvenient' questions.
Take a quick look at the questions already submitted to the first Rudd government ministers and you will see that we’ve been very busy. The government has 30 days to answer and we’ll let you know what they say.
Below are a quick overview of some of the questions we have asked. You may also be interested in reading a full text in the Notice Paper for the 42nd Parliament.
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Why did Minister Garrett approve the Port Phillip Bay channel deepening project and why was there no requirement to monitor the impact of toxic sediment on bay beaches? |
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How will the Government honour its election promise to ensure that high conservation-value forest is not fed into Gunns proposed pulp mill in Tasmania? |
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Does the Government intend to change the refugee laws that currently leave asylum seekers without support, effectively 'beggars dependent on the Churches and charities'? |
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What are the details of the $150 million plan (announced by the former Government) to support the design and installation of solar systems on commercial, industrial and iconic buildings? |
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What are the Government plans to support the growing number of cyclists and cycling organisations? |
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What action will the Government take to remedy the dire situation in many of Australia's wetlands, including the Coorong and the Macquarie Marshes? |
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Will the Government strengthen the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, including introducing a greenhouse trigger and a sustainability charter? |
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What are the outcomes of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme negotiated by the Democrats with the former Government in 2001. |
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What is going on at SBS? Have staff been gagged? How many hours are devoted to non-English language programs? Are any programs aimed at new immigrants? And what are the specifics of the advertising revenue? |
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Considering the evidence suggesting genetically modified (GM) crops may be harmful, will the Government consider a moratorium on further GM crops in Australia? |
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What moves have been made towards improving water quality and standards for water efficient appliances? |
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What is the progress on promoting sustainability in our cities, increasing environmental education in schools and introducing energy efficiency standards for vehicles? |
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What steps is the Government taking to improve knowledge and use of contraception and will we follow the UK lead and allow pharmacists to dispense oral contraceptives? |
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How is the Government planning to support the approx. 300,000 Australians suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? |
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Has the Government already taken delivery of cluster munitions and will it condemn Israel’s failure to provide maps that would allow the 1 million or so unexploded cluster bombs to be safely removed? |
In the remaining few months of our terms, the Democrats will continue asking the 'inconvenient questions' in the Senate. While welcome a new Labor Government, history tells us it too will want to avoid scrutiny.
If you have questions you want asked of the Rudd Government, email Senator Lyn Allison Senator.Allison@aph.gov.au.
Senate Reform
In December last year Democrats Leader, Senator Lyn Allison, wrote to leaders of other parties urging them to support our Senate reform proposals. These reforms undo the procedural changes intitiated by the former Howard Government in 2005 that limited scrutiny of the Government and its legislation and also propose ways to strengthen the Senate and accountability generally.
We will provide updates of their responses, if any, to our propsals in our Senate Watch campaign. |
