Whenever a new policy initiative is announced, or some 
other important event occurs, the Government is able to 
present its views to Parliament in the form of a 
Ministerial Statement, immediately after Questions. 
These are formally notified to the Speaker in advance, 
but no permission is required.

Statements are followed by a short reply from the relevant
Opposition spokesman - usually in the form of a question - and
then a question and answer session which lasts between 30 minutes 
and an hour, depending on the Speaker's judgement of the level of controversy involved.