How do parliamentary committees work?
Parliamentary committees are usually set up to explore complex issues on behalf of the Parliament. Below is an outline of the committee inquiry process. • Decide the terms of reference (the specific purpose of the committee). • Advertise the inquiry and its terms of reference in newspapers. This brings the inquiry to the attention of the public and experts on the subject and invites all interested people to write a response to the terms of reference. This is called a submission. • Consider the submissions and invite people or groups (witnesses) to attend the committee hearings to give evidence. • Listen to what witnesses have to say about the subject during committee hearings held in Parliament House or in different places around Australia. Travelling to locations outside Canberra helps the senators and members to meet a wide variety of concerned people and takes the Parliament to the people. • Work with the committee secretariat, researchers and writers to write a report which has con
