Whether it’s the welfare of laying hens, the impact of trade, or how to avoid being held in contempt of court, Parliament’s select committees are constantly engaged with issues of concern to our communities. In this week’s Committee News, find out more about some of the key matters they have been discussing with Ministers.
During their deliberations, committees often invite public submissions and hold hearings on bills and other topics. All hearings are open to the public, and dates and locations can be found in the daily Committee Schedules, or on the Parliament website. Hearings are usually recorded, and a transcript is available after the meeting. If a committee votes to report a bill, it is sent to the House for consideration in plenary. The committee report describes the scope and purpose of the measure and explains why it is being recommended for approval. Bills with extensive amendments are often reported in a new form, incorporating all the changes made by the committee. This is known as a “clean” bill. The final version of a bill that is approved by the committee and sent to the House will be published on the Parliament website, with the committee’s name at the start of the title. You can find these bills in the Parliament website’s Committee Legislation section.
Each year, select committees review government organisations to assess their performance and effectiveness. The committees are preparing to begin their annual reviews in 2022/23, and you can learn more about the process here. The committee also oversees and advises the government, the public and the media on Freedom of Information, Open Meetings and Personal Privacy Protection Laws. It offers guidance in response to phone inquiries, prepares written legal advisory opinions and provides training to members of the public and other stakeholders.