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You can get involved in a committee inquiry by:
What is a submission?
Parliamentary committees usually ask for people’s views and experiences when they inquire into different issues. If you want to have your say on an issue that a committee is looking into, you can share your experiences and ideas by writing to a committee – this is called making a submission.
The terms of reference for each inquiry are on the committee website and set out what the inquiry is about. There are no terms of reference for a bill inquiry, because the committee is seeking comments on the bill itself.
Using speech-to-text to make a submission
If you can't write a submission, you can convert your spoken words to written text using dictation features on your mobile phone, device or computer.
What if I have questions about making a submission?
Please contact the relevant committee secretariat or call the Parliament House TTY number 02 6277 7799.
Writing a submission
The best submissions:
- clearly address some or all of the terms of reference—you do not need to address each one
- are relevant and highlight your own perspective
- are concise, generally no longer than four to five pages
- begin with a short introduction about yourself or the organisation you represent
- emphasise the key points so that they are clear
- outline not only what the issues are but how problems can be addressed, as the committee looks to submissions for ideas to make recommendations
- only include documents that directly relate to your key points
- only include information you would be happy to see published on the internet.
Submissions that include complex argument, personal details or criticise someone may take the committee longer to process and consider.
Submission checklist
Before you send us your submission, check: |
Have you commented on some or all of the terms of reference? |
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If your submission is long, have you provided a brief summary? |
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Have you provided your return address and contact details with the submission? |
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Have you made sure that your personal contact details are not in the main part of the submission? |
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If you do not want your submission published on the internet, have you made this clear on the front of your submission and told us why? |
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Delivering your submission
As many inquiries attract high levels of interest, committees prefer to accept submissions via the online system. The online submission site is secure and is suitable for uploading sensitive and confidential material.
If you upload your submission through the Senate's website, you will receive an email straight away that lets you know that the secretariat has received your submission.
You can submit by email, but please be aware that this is not an automated process and it may take longer for you to receive an acknowledgement that your submission has been received.
You can email your submission to the committee secretariat or to seniorclerk.committees.sen@aph.gov.au
You can also submit through the post by writing to:
Committee Secretary
[Name of committee]
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
What happens to my submission?