Clerk Isobel Tannock observes while Principal Clerk David Bagnall checks over Louis Donovan's paper work. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
During Parliament's daily Question Time, MPs argue - and they argue a lot.
The bickering tends to fall into three categories. Most arguments are about governing the country - the policies, outcomes, costs and so on. Second most common are complaints about ministers' answers to questions - mostly for these failing to be answers at all.
In third place are arguments over the questions themselves; usually about the supplementary questions which are vetted on the fly by The Speaker. But occasionally MPs get tetchy about the 12 pre-published primary questions from which the supplementaries flow.
These complaints are less common because primary questions come pre-vetted. This week's show from The House observes that vetting process.
Note: The audio linked above is from a Tuesday vetting session. The photos in this story are from a Wednesday vetting, which involved some different people.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
It's 10am on a Wednesday morning at Parliament House - the big old grey Edwardian edifice that squats next to the Beehive.
Outside the office of Parliament's deputy clerk, Suze Jones, a collection of staff from various political parties wait like errant students waiting to see the headmaster.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Suze Jones manages the The Office of the Clerk's house services group. The clerks are Parliament's secretariat and her group tames a tidal wave of paper which includes bills, reports, petitions, and many thousands of questions (both written and oral).
The people waiting outside her office are here to lodge their party's allocation of the 12 primary questions that are the framework for Question Time, and have them vetted, proofread, and authenticated.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Parliament's oral questions are rostered among the political parties proportionally, so there is a roster to be checked, and the questions lined up in order with their supporting material.
Each question must fall within Parliament's rules (Standing Orders), and the various interpretations of those rules (Speakers' Rulings).
The basics are: questions must be concise, factual, and not contain arguments, inferences, imputations, epithets, ironical expressions, or expressions of opinion. They cannot seek a legal opinion, make discreditable references to MPs or Parliament, or use unparliamentary language.
If you watch Question Time you will notice that questions that would never pass the clerk's sharp pencil as primary questions are pretty common as supplementaries, but it would be impossible to authenticate every claim live in the debating chamber; and different Speakers tend to be tough or relaxed about different rules. The MPs just have to get used to each Speaker's approach and play to the whistle.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
First in the door is Louis Donovan, house advisor to the Leader of the House, a ministerial role held by National Party MP, Chris Bishop.
In this role, he helps the government manage its legislative programme and National's whips office to coordinate their party's questions. His offerings will all be friendly questions (patsies), but they still have to follow the rules.
Checking his work is principal clerk (procedure) David Bagnall, helped and observed by clerks Tim Smith and Isobel Tannock. Donovan has also brought an extra for experience.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Any fact claimed in a question has to be authenticated. Here, Bagnall reads through some supporting documentation while Donovan quickly hunts up further supporting material on his phone in case it is required.
The clerks are incredibly careful but the extra evidence is not needed.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Each question is on its own sheet of paper, and lists who will ask it and which ministerial role will answer it. The clerk checks that the answering portfolio matches the question topic (which can be surprisingly tricky), but regardless, the government can decide to swap in another minister as more appropriate to answer (within reason).
Each sheet is signed by an MP, marking the question as genuine. This whole process can be done electronically but is usually done in person, which makes it easier for those involved to discuss, debate and resolve issues.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Labour's equivalent to Louis Donovan is Peter Hoare, who was house advisor to Chris Hipkins and Grant Robertson during their stints as Leader of the House.
He was previously also a clerk and has sat across the table helping vet the questions. Such experience is useful because each of the party staff work to pre-vet the questions before they come down to lodge them.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
The TV is on behind Smith and Tannock because Parliament is sitting (very nearby) under urgency. When the House sits, the precinct is like a Christmas tree lit by TVs.
MPs, presiding officers, staff, journalists and clerks all need to stay informed, but especially the presiding officers, MPs and clerks - all of whom are rostered to spend time in the chamber, and need to be up with the play when they are due on.
Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Green policy advisor James Coad brings his party's questions.
Green questions recently have featured a lot of te reo Māori. The clerks don't check the accuracy of translations; that has already been done by Parliament's translation team (another part of the Office of the Clerk).
Once the 10.30am time limit passes, the clerks give a heads up to the Leader of the House's office as to which ministers can expect a question today.
The clerk now heads to present all the questions and evidence to the Clerk of the House of Representatives (David Wilson) who may make further adjustments before he briefs the Speaker. The Speaker gets the final sign-off.
RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk.
