When Political Theatre Replaces Accountability in the Legislative Council
Dr Brian Walker examines the rising trend of political obfuscation in Parliament, arguing that when question time becomes theatre, public trust and genuine accountability suffer significantly.
The symptom of a struggling democracy
In my years as a GP, I learned that you cannot treat a patient if you cannot get a straight answer about their symptoms. When a patient avoids the truth, the diagnosis becomes impossible and health outcomes suffer. It is exactly the same with the health of our democracy. We are currently witnessing an alarming trend in Parliament where direct questions are met with choreographed evasion rather than genuine answers.
This is not merely a matter of parliamentary procedure. It is a systematic failure to respect the people of Western Australia. When ministers use standing orders as a shield to hide from politically inconvenient truths, the very foundation of our accountability structure begins to crumble. It leaves the public in the dark, watching a performance that serves party interests while ignoring the urgent needs of the community.
The hidden cost of evasion
The danger here is visceral. When we allow transparency to be treated as an optional extra, we invite a decline in the standard of our governance. This is not just bureaucracy; it is a waiting room where citizens are left wondering if their concerns will ever be heard or addressed. The frustration is palpable. The sinking feeling when you realise that those in power are playing games while your family's future hangs in the balance is a heavy burden for any voter to bear.
We are a community of forward-thinkers. We value evidence, scientific rigour, and honest communication. We deserve a Parliament that reflects those values rather than one trapped in outdated, performative traditions.
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Restoring the focus
I have given notice of a motion to stop this rot. If question time continues to be an exercise in political theatre, we must be brave enough to ask whether that time could be better spent. Perhaps we should consider abolishing questions without notice entirely. We could then reallocate that time to productive legislative and committee work where the rigorous, evidence-based scrutiny our state requires can actually take place.
This is about reclaiming our time and our process from those who prefer obfuscation to clarity. You can review the details of my motion in the official Hansard record. I invite you to stand with me by joining Legalise Cannabis WA as we work to bring honesty and common sense back to the heart of government.
