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Title

Ch15 Questions / RULES GOVERNING QUESTIONS / Form and content of questions / Questions concerning the Crown

Database

House Practice

Date

01-05-2005

Source

House of Reps

Parl No.

41

Chapter

Questions

Chapter No.

Chapter 15

Page

546

Section No.

 

System Id

procedural/practcer/chapter15.32.doc


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Ch15 Questions / RULES GOVERNING QUESTIONS / Form and content of questions / Questions concerning the Crown



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House of Representatives                                Ch 15                                                 p 546

 

Questions / RULES GOVERNING QUESTIONS / Form and content of questions

 

Questions concerning the Crown

Questions may be asked of Ministers about matters relating to those public duties for which the Queen or her representative in the Commonwealth, the Governor-General, is responsible. 1 However, just as in debate, a Member in putting a question must not refer disrespectfully to the Queen, the Governor-General, or a State Governor, in debate or for the purpose of influencing the House in its deliberations. 2 As noted above, a question must not reflect on or be critical of the character or conduct of the Queen, the Governor-General or a State Governor. Their conduct may only be challenged on a substantive motion. 3

In 1956 Prime Minister Menzies presented documents relating to the double dissolution of the Senate and the House by the Governor-General in 1951. The documents referred to an interview which the Prime Minister had had with the Governor-General and contained copies of a letter from the Prime Minister to the Governor-General and the latter’s reply. 4 Questions seeking the tabling of these documents had been asked by the Leader of the Opposition some five years earlier. In answer to those questions the Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of making the documents public as historical records and guides to constitutional practice but indicated that he would not present them until the Governor-General concerned had left office so that they would not involve the incumbent Governor-General in public debate. 5 In 1979 Prime Minister Fraser presented documents relating to the dissolution of the House in 1977 and the double dissolution of 1975. These included correspondence between the Prime Minister and the Governor-General relating to the grounds for the dissolutions. 6 He indicated that he was presenting the documents in response to a question asked earlier by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. 7 Documents concerning the 1983 and 1987 double dissolutions were also presented. 8

The practice in the House of Commons not to permit questions to the Prime Minister on advice given to the Crown concerning the granting of honours has not been followed in the House of Representatives, although care has been taken to ensure that nothing in such a question could bring the Queen into disrespect. 9



May , 23rd edn, p. 347.



S.O. 88.



S.O. 100(c).



VP 1956-57/167.



H.R. Deb. (13.6.51) 49; H.R. Deb. (26.9.51) 37.



H.R. Deb. (20.2.79) 17; VP 1978-80/616.



H.R. Deb. (23.11.78) 3276.



VP 1983-84/721; VP 1987-89/249.



E.g. H.R. Deb. (25.8.54) 587; H.R. Deb. (19-20.8.59) 393; H.R. Deb. (29.9.60) 1579-80; H.R. Deb. (31.8.61) 787; 

H.R. Deb. (12.9.61) 1081; H.R. Deb. (19.11.87) 2466.