Part 2/14:
Previously, opposition questions were distributed evenly—about fifty-fifty between the coalition and Labor—allowing for vigorous debate and accountability. Now, however, the opposition’s question allotment has shrunk significantly, with only five questions permitted daily, owing to reforms and staffing cuts. This reduction is seen as a sign of waning parliamentary scrutiny and a weakening of the opposition's role as a check on government power. Marcus and Marorrow argued that such restrictions dilute the democratic process, transforming question time into a less meaningful exchange and stifling the contest of ideas vital for democratic legitimacy.