Speaker’s Rulings — Written Questions—Overdue Answers

Before I move to oral questions, I’ve received a letter from the Hon Paul Goldsmith indicating his frustration with the lack of answers to written questions. This is a matter which has been before the House previously, and on this particular occasion, there are—in fact, he’s written to me with eight questions that were due on 16 April from the Hon Shane Jones. Mr Jones’ office indicated on 23 April that they would be answered that day. There were further inquiries last Friday, and they are still unanswered.

Written questions are a way of holding the Government to account, and I will note that there are an additional 17 subsequently unanswered questions from that office. I have not reviewed the situation generally; I will do that before the House sits next Tuesday, but in the interim, as a result of this complaint, for each of the unanswered supplementaries, I will grant the National Party an additional supplementary question to be used today or tomorrow.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is to the Minister—[Interruption]

Order! Minus two.