KK6 & KK7: Parliamentary Committees

parliamentary committees

• a parliamentary committee is a small group of members of parliament who investigate an issue, policy, or proposed bill and report back to the parliament about the need for law reform

• often established so an issue of state or territory community interest or national interest can be examined more efficiently than it could if all members of parliament were involved in the investigation

• consult a range of stakeholders, to gain a comprehensive investigation

processes used by parliamentary committees

#1: receive the terms of reference that specify the purpose of the inquiry, the specific issues that must be investigated and the date by which the final report must be completed

• must receive from either houses of parliament, or it can be self-referred by the committee

#2: publicises its terms of reference and seeks input from interested individuals, experts, groups, and organisations within the community, via written submissions

#3: undertakes public hearings, most committees have the power to call or require certain individuals and experts, like people who work in government departments, to give evidence, answer specific questions and explain their actions.

#4: prepares a final written report once all the submissions have been received and considered, and all hearings have been concluded

• will contain recommendations for law reform

specific committees

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strengths

• can investigate a wide range of legal, social, and political issues, and concerns and report back to parliament about the need for law reform

• have the power to request that specific individuals appear at hearings to give evidence and answer questions - more comprehensive investigation

• enable the parliament to be more informed before deciding whether to support a bill

• allows the community to have input and have their views considered in the parliamentary decision-making process

weaknesses

• limited resources (e.g. funding and time constraints on mop) means a committee cannot be formed to examine all issues and concerns

• committees are restricted to examining matters and issues within the scope of the terms of reference

• committee investigations can be time-consuming and costly

• there is no obligation on parliament to support or introduce law reforms suggested by a committee