Glossary - Q

Question 1

Question Time

Answer 1

A daily period of time set aside during parliamentary debates for backbenchers to ask ministers questions without notice.

Question 2

Quorum

Answer 2

The minimum number of members of parliament who must be present for the parliament to carry out official business such as voting on legislation (one quarter of all senators, one fifth of all members in the House of Representatives).

Question 3

Quota

Answer 3

A quota in proportional representation voting systems is the number of votes that an individual candidate must achieve to secure election. It is calculated by dividing the number of formal votes by the number of seats available plus one and then adding one more vote. In a normal Senate election where each state elects six Senators the required quota is approximately 14.3% of the total formal votes.