Public question time

Microphone in the Council Chambers

Community members can ask questions of the Council at the start of each ordinary Council meeting in Public Question Time.

Public Question Time runs for 15 minutes. As many questions as possible will be heard, although there is no debate of questions and answers. Priority will be given to those who lodge their question prior to the meeting.

If a response to a question cannot be provided at the meeting, then the questioner can put it in writing and the Council will answer it at a later meeting.

The Council Chairperson can also invite any member of the public at an ordinary meeting to ask questions about Council activities.

Conditions

Public Question Time is conducted under the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

Public Question Time will be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.

The Chairperson will invite any member of the public present at the meeting to ask questions subject to the following conditions:

  • The Chairperson will determine the order in which questions are heard. Priority will be given to those who lodge their question prior to the meeting.
  • If there are a number of persons wishing to ask questions, the Chairperson may take the questions in such order so as to hear as many members of the public as practical during the time allocated.
  • Individuals will be allocated 60 seconds combined to provide a background and ask their question.
  • A limit of 3 questions per person per meeting will apply.
  • Without limiting the Chairperson's discretion to accept a question under r31(5)(a) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, a question will be refused to be accepted that is, in the reasonable opinion of the Chairperson, proffered to advance a particular point of view rather than making a genuine enquiry.
  • A question will be refused if it is deemed offensive, inappropriate, defamatory or unlawful.
  • Where a question requests information previously published by Council, a response may simply refer the member of the public to the appropriate documentation.
  • The Chairperson will not allow any discussion or debate on either the question or the response.
  • Questions cannot relate to any item appearing on the Council Agenda.
  • Persons asking questions consents to being live streamed to the public.

Procedure

  1. Wait for the Chairperson to call for public questions.
  2. Stand and wait to be called on.
  3. When called, state your name and ask your question.
  4. Members of the public are asked to complete enclosed public question time form to assist officers recording the question in the minutes, and providing a response to questions take on notice.

The Chairperson retains the right to accept or decline questions and to determine if a question is to be answered or taken on notice. The decision to take the question on notice may also be taken by the Elected Member or employee to whom the question is directed. Questions taken on notice will be answered in writing and published in a future Council agenda.

Members of the public are advised that no reliance should be placed on any verbal answer provided during Public Question Time, and they should seek a response in writing from the Council.

Lodge a question in advance

To lodge a question prior to the meeting, please fill out the form:

Public Question Time Form(PDF, 38KB)

The form is also available from:

  • Hobart Council Centre - 16 Elizabeth Street, Hobart
  • Hobart Town Hall - reception desk, 50 Macquarie Street
  • Council Chamber - Hobart Town Hall

Forms can be lodged can be lodged at:

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