Question Time has been televised for 35 years. We tracked how it has changed, and what it means for Australian democracy
New research shows Question Time has increasingly focused on the prime minister, raising questions about the ‘presidentialisation’ of Australian politics.
Question Time, a televised parliamentary session, has been airing for 35 years, serving as a crucial platform for holding the Australian government accountable and showcasing the opposition as an alternative government. However, recent changes in the format have raised concerns about its effectiveness. Our research, which examined 21,500 opposition questions between 1981 and 2025, reveals a complex picture of the changes in Question Time.
While opposition questions have increasingly focused on the prime minister, opposition leaders have become less dominant. Personalisation, the trend where individual leaders overshadow parties, has led to some negative outcomes, such as increased instability and potential opportunities for populist challengers. While it is important to scrutinize leaders, the research suggests that the focus should also be on holding the entire government accountable.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
