Labor Cuts Question Time for Opposition Following Split

Government cited ‘chaos’ on non-government benches as parliamentary procedure was reshaped to reflect the redrawn parliament.

Minister for Home Affairs, Cyber, and Immigration Tony Burke addresses the chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Jan. 20, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

The opposition’s implosion has cost it valuable Question Time with the number of questions allocated to the Liberal Party halved.

Under the proposed change to sessional orders, the Liberals’ allocation has been cut from 9 or 10 questions to five, with the government arguing the new arrangements reflect the redrawn parliament.