Chapter 13.7

Question 1

Parliamentary commitee

Answer 1

a parliamentary committee is a group of members of parliament who convene to investigate specific issues, bills or legislative matter

Question 2

what do parliamentary committees ensure

Answer 2

• ensures oversight of government activities as well as policy development, allowing for analysing and consultation on potentional law reform
• allows more time for politicians to scrutinise and debate legislative matters, calling upon experts or people from the community to send in submissions to influence their design

Question 3

processes used by parliamentary committees

Answer 3

• Receives the terms of reference
• Publicises in terms of reference and seeks input
• Undertakes public (or an occasion private) hearing
• Prepares a written report

Question 4

receives the terms of reference

Answer 4

that specify the precise purpose of the inquiry, the specific issues that must be investigated and the data by which the final report must be completed

Question 5

Publicises in terms of reference and seeks input

Answer 5

from interested individuals, experts, groups and organisation within the community, via written submissions. This includes advertising in broadcast media such as newspapers, and using digital media, including social media

Question 6

Undertakes public (or an occasion private) hearing

Answer 6

this involved the committee inviting a range of people to provide their input, give evidence relation to the matter under investigation and answer specific questions from committee member.

Question 7

Prepares a written report

Answer 7

once all the submissions have been received and considered, and all hearing have concluded. The report will contain recommendations for law reform or actions and will be presented to the parliament for consideration.

Question 8

types of committees

Answer 8

• standing committees
• select committees
• joint investigatory committees
• domestic committees
• estimates committee

Question 9

standing committees

Answer 9

parliamentary committees appointed for the life of a parliament to investigate a range of specific issues and provide an ongoing check on government activities. They are ongoing, not temporary, committees. Standing committees can be set up solely within each house, or they can be joint committees with members from both houses

Question 10

select committees

Answer 10

Parliamentary committees appointed to investigate a specific issue as the need arises. Once the inquiry is completed the committee ceases to exist. Select committees are made up of members from only one house of parliament.

Question 11

joint investigatory committees

Answer 11

Parliamentary committees appointed each parliamentary term to examine a range of different issues or matters. They are, as the name suggests, made up of members of parliament from both houses. Joint committees are usually longstanding committees that investigate issues on behalf of parliament. They can also be select committees to investigate a particular issue.

Question 12

domestic committees

Answer 12

Parliamentary committees appointed to specifically examine issues and matters that relate to the internal operations and practices of parliament, including administrative and procedural matters. They are made up of members of one house.

Question 13

estimates committee

Answer 13

examine the government budget which details how much money the government collects and spends

Question 14

the ability of parliamentary committees to influence law reform

Answer 14

Although parliamentary committees have some limitations, they have an important role in investigating specific issues, policies and legal matters, reviewing existing law and reporting their findings and recommendations for law reform to the parliament.

Question 15

advantages of parliamentary committee

Answer 15

• Committees can investigate a wide range of legal, social and political issues and concerns and report back to the parliament about the need for law reform
• Parliamentary committees have the power to request that specific individuals and representatives of organisations appear at hearings to give evidence and answer questions, which enables them to gain extensive and valuable information for their consideration.
• Committees can examine issues more efficiently than having the entire parliament involved in the investigation.
• Committees allow members of parliament to be involved in investigations and gain knowledge, expertise and understanding in the area of suggested law reform.
• Committees provide a way for members of the community to have input into the issues being investigated and have their views considered in the parliamentary decision making process
• The final reports prepared by committees enable the parliament to be more informed before deciding whether to support a bill.

Question 16

disadvantage of parliamentary committees

Answer 16

• parliamentary committees are not independent inquires
• they are hostile as they run by member of parli