Chapter 16 - Committees
Powers of committees
The power of each
House of the Parliament to conduct inquiries
is recognised as intrinsic to and essential for a legislature (see Chapter 2,
Parliamentary Privilege, under Power to conduct inquiries). For the most part,
the Senate does not conduct its own inquiries but delegates this function,
along with the necessary powers, to committees.
Committee powers normally include the following:
-
to send for persons
and documents (that is, to summon witnesses and require the production of
documents);
-
to
move from place to place;
-
to
take evidence in public or private session;
-
to
meet and transact business notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or
dissolution of the House of Representatives; and
-
to
appoint subcommittees.
Committees possess
some or all of these powers, depending on their functions. Legislative and
general purpose standing committees, for example, when conducting estimates
hearings may hear evidence only in public and may not take evidence in camera.
Previous page | Contents | Next page
Website feedback: web.senate@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 2 February 2010 by the Senate Web Administrator
© Commonwealth of Australia
Parliament of Australia Web Site Privacy Statement
Images courtesy of AUSPIC
|
