Learn: The Role of Parliamentary Committees and its ability to influence law reform

What is a committee system?

A system in federal, state and territory parliaments in Australia that involves separate working parties to investigate a wide range of legal, social and political issues and report back to the parliament about the need for law reform.

What is a parliamentary committee?

A small group of members of parliament brought together to investigate a proposed bill or specific issue as requested by parliament.

Different types of committees are?

- Standing committees (run for the life of parliament)

- Select committees (only investigate on a specific issue)

- Joint investigatory committees (members from both houses)

- Domestic committees (internal matters and practices of parliament)

Role of Parliamentary Committees

- Investigate an area of law that needs to be reintroduced, reviewed, or changed and to make recommendations to parliament.

- Assist parliament in their role as supreme law-maker so parliament makes laws that reflect values of community.

- Consider views of community, included interested individuals and experts, pressure groups, business groups and organisations and government departments.

- Have different roles, but their main role is to research a bill which is very complex and provide a summary to other MP's.

- A TOR will be given to the committee which outlines the scope of the research.

- Done so that MP can make an informed choice on how to vote on a bill.

Standing Committees

- Appointed for the life of a parliament (e.g. 4 years) to investigate a range of specific issues and provide an ongoing check on gov activities.

- Ongoing not temporary e.g. Victorian Standing Committee on Legal and Social Issues. This committee inquires into reports on any proposal or matter concerned with community services, education, gaming, health, law and justice.

- Made up of members of one house or they can be joint committees with members from both houses.