References

Chapter 19 References

[1] Not necessarily to a statutory committee—for example, s. 8F of the International Monetary Agreements Act 1947 provided that ‘A national interest statement tabled in the Parliament under section 8D shall stand referred for inquiry and report within two months of the reference to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade constituted under resolutions of the Senate and the House of Representatives’.

[2] E.g. Standing Committee on Community Affairs, minutes 5.9.89, 24.7.90.

[3] S.O. 215(c).

[4] E.g. Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure, minutes 24.11.93.

[5] Senate S.O. 25(13).

[6] Standing Committee on Procedure, About time: bills questions and working hours, PP 194 (1993) 16. The Offshore Petroleum Amendment (Greenhouse Gas Storage) Bill 2008 is an example of a bill referred to a Senate as well as a House committee.

[7] Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Advisory report of the inquiry into the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011, May 2011.

[8] E.g. H.R. Deb. (18.3.2013) 2314.

[9] Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Advisory report: Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commission) Bill 2012 and Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012, paras 1.13–15, 1.24–27.

[10] S.O. 215(c)(iv). In practice joint committees also notify the JCPAA when they review audit reports.

[11] VP 1974–75/380 (28.11.1974) (change in number of members appointed to Select Committee on Specific Learning Difficulties); VP 1993–96/131 (27.5.1993) (amendment of resolution of power of Joint Committee on Corporations and Securities).

[12] VP 1920–21/377 (14.10.1920) (time of reporting extended for Select Committee on Sea Carriage).

[13] VP 1954–55/225 (26.5.1955) (special report from the Committee of Privileges seeking power for committee to investigate matters not referred to it by the House) see also Joint Committee on the Parliamentary Committee System, Resolution of appointment of the Committee: Special report, PP 78 (1976) 5, which sought power to retain as chair the chair of the committee in the previous Parliament (the report was not adopted by the House).

[14] E.g. VP 1983–84/156 (23.8.1983); VP 1985–87/764 (14.3.1986), 886 (29.4.1986); VP 1993–96/2058 (11.5.1995); VP 2013–16/1516 (17.8.2015); VP 2013–16/761 (27.8.2014); VP 2013–16/1634 (13.10.2015) (to enable a select committee to continue its work after presentation of its report).

[15] E.g. VP 1987–90/123 (20.10.1987).

[16] E.g. VP 1974–75/358 (27.11.1974).

[17] E.g. VP 1987–90/123 (20.10.1987); VP 2013–16/1916 (22.2.2016) (appointment of Senators as participating members of a joint committee).

[18] VP 1983–84/124 (25.5.1983); VP 1985–87/87 (19.3.1985), 675 (11.2.1986).

[19] Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, s. 16.

[20] Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, s. 16.

[21] E.g. Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure, minutes 17.11.1994.

[22] E.g. Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, minutes 10.10.1991.

[23] PP 115 (2016) 117.

[24] E.g. Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, minutes 25.9.1991.

[25] And see May, 24th edn, p. 819.

[26] E.g. Standing Committee on the Environment, minutes, 4.6.2015.

[27] Minutes 23.10.2008. More examples are listed at pages 648–9 of the 4th edition.

[28] E.g. Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration, minutes 14.11.1992.

[29] E.g. see PP 244 (1977) 16–17.

[30] S.O. 240.

[31] S.O. 255(d).

[32] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraphs 8 and 9.

[33] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 14.

[34] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 15.

[35] S.O. 235(b).

[36] VP 1998–2001/1985 (6.12.2000).

[37] VP 2013–16/182–3 (9.12.2013). The resolution replaced several earlier related resolutions dating back to 1988.

[38] Advice of the Attorney-General to the President of the Senate, dated 23 May 1963.

[39] S.O. 254. In the UK Commons the chair signs the order, May, 24th edn, p. 820.

[40] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 1.

[41] Joint Committee of Public Accounts report no. 325, Midford Paramount case, December 1992.

[42] S. Deb. (8.3.1951) 155–7.

[43] H.R. Deb. (6.2.2001) 23906–7.

[44] Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications, At what cost? IT pricing and the Australia tax, PP 238 (2013) 5–6.

[45] May, 24th edn, p. 820. see also Senate S.O. 180; former House S.O. 361 (until 1998); Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, s. 14, and ‘Bankstown Observer (Browne/Fitzpatrick) Case’ in the Ch. on ‘Parliamentary privilege’.

[46] Opinion of Solicitor-General, dated 8 August 1941. This view was supported by the Solicitor-General in 1958 in an opinion given to the Senate Select Committee on Payments to Maritime Unions. Greenwood and Ellicott believed there was ‘room for doubt’ as to whether this was the correct view as the precise limits of section 49 had not been determined, PP 168 (1972) 12.

[47] That is, other than statutory committees given the power by legislation, e.g. Public Works Committee Act 1969, s. 20; Public Accounts and Audit Act 1951, s.10.

[48] Opinion of Solicitor-General, dated 8 August 1941.

[49] However, it is now not usual for House of Commons select committees to examine witnesses on oath except upon inquiries of a judicial or other special character. May, 24th edn, p. 824.

[50] Advice of Attorney-General’s Department, dated 16 February 1962, on the swearing in of Members (see Ch. on ‘Members’).

[51] S.O.s 240, 241.

[52] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraphs 6, 9 and 10.

[53] E.g. Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs, Every picture tells a story: Inquiry into child custody arrangements in the event of family separation, Dec 2003, Appendix D.

[54] May, 24th edn, p. 840.

[55] May, 24th edn, p. 823.

[56] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraphs 8 and 9.

[57] H.R. Deb. (19.10.1982) 2163.

[58] Parliamentary committees: powers over and protection afforded to witnesses, Paper prepared by I. J. Greenwood and R. J. Ellicott, PP 168 (1972) 33.

[59] E.g. see p. 721 (Select Committee on Road Safety case).

[60] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 2.

[61] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 13. The 2015 government guidelines are consistent with this provision.

[62] Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Canberra, February 2015. This paper sets down similar guidelines to those originally presented to the House in 1978 and updated in 1984 and 1989.

[63] Guidelines, paras. 2–3.

[64] Joint Committee of Public Accounts, 114th Report, PP 162 (1969) 3.

[65] House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Lack of co-operation by the Queensland Government, PP 282 (1982); Joint Select Committee on Telecommunications Interception, Report, dated 20 November 1986, incorporating dissenting report, PP 306 (1986).

[66] Opinion by Solicitor-General, to the Secretary of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, dated 16 September 1953.

[67] VP 1980–83/1161 (28.10.1982); PP 282 (1982).

[68] J 1993–96/565–6 (5.10.1993). The resolution also requested the House of Representatives to require the Commonwealth Treasurer’s attendance, see p. 704.

[69] Odgers, 14th edn, p. 565.

[70] PP 449 (1993).

[71] For example, Hon. J. Anderson, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, meeting with members of Transport and Regional Services Committee, March 2003; Hon. M. Ferguson, meetings in the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments; and Hon. I. Macfarlane, meetings with the Agriculture and Industry Committee in the 44th Parliament.

[72] May, 24th edn, p. 821.

[73] S.O. 249(b).

[74] E.g. PP 77 (1994) 3.

[75] J 1920–21/153 (15.9.1920); S. Deb. (15.9.1920) 4531.

[76] PP 115 (2016) 110, 120.

[77] Odgers, 6th edn, pp. 871–2, and 14th edn, pp. 562.

[78] Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Government Operations, The Australian Dairy Corporation and its Asian subsidiaries, PP 153 (1981) 149–51, 166.

[79] H. R. Deb. (7.5.1981) 2110.

[80] S.O. 251; e.g. VP 1993–96/596 (15.12.1993); VP 1998–2001/2075 (8.2.2001).

[81] E.g. J 1993–96/1077–8 (17.12.1993).

[82] VP 1901–02/109 (26.7.1901), 113 (31.7.1901); J 1901–02/88 (26.7.1901).

[83] E.g. VP 1985–87/1365 (27.11.1986); VP 1993–96/596 (15.12.1993).

[84] E.g. VP 1985–87/1430 (17.2.1987); H.R. Deb. (17.2.1987) 147; J 1993–96/1077–8 (17.12.1993).

[85] PP 77 (1994) 3.

[86] J 1998–2001/4043 (7.3.2001); VP 1998–2001/2157 (7.3.2001).

[87] Senate S.O. 178.

[88] VP 1904/100 (30.6.1904), 114 (14.7.1904); VP 1909/189 (11.11.1909). See also VP 1914/74 (10.6.1914) (consideration of Senate message made order of day but lapsed at dissolution of House shortly after).

[89] VP 1913/130 (31.10.1913); H.R. Deb. (31.10.1913) 2830–1.

[90] S. Deb. (31.10.1913) 2824.

[91] VP 1913/134 (31.10.1913); H.R. Deb. (31.10.1913) 2843.

[92] J 1993–96/565–6 (5.10.1993); VP 1993–96/342–3 (7.10.1993).

[93] VP 1901–02/149 (4.9.1901).

[94] VP 2002–04/1402–3 (10.2.2004) (papers tabled).

[95] Odgers, 14th edn, p. 566 (Senate Select Committee on Certain Foreign Ownership Decisions in relation to the Print Media).

[96] Senate Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident, Report, October 2002. The advice and opinions referred to (from B. Walker SC, Professor G. J. Lindell and A. Robertson SC) are included at appendix 2 of the report. Odgers, 14th edn, p. 566.

[97] ibid, p. xv.

[98] S.O. 251.

[99] Senate S.O. 179.

[100] Senate S.O. 178; S.O. 252(b).

[101] Standing Committee of Privileges, Article published in Daily Telegraph, 27 August 1971, PP 242 (1971) 39–45.

[102] Senate Standing Committee of Privileges, Appropriate means of ensuring the security of Parliament House, PP 22 (1978).

[103] E.g. PP 364 (1994), PP 108 (1995) and PP 158 (2000).

[104] PP 24 (1996) 130.

[105] E.g. Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiries into civics and electoral education (2007), and into the delivery of electoral education (2015); Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit inquiries into effects of the ongoing efficiency dividend on smaller public sector agencies (2008), and into the development of the Commonwealth Performance Framework (2015).

[106] E.g. PP 135 (1987). Standing Committee of Privileges, Report concerning the possible unauthorised disclosure of in camera evidence to the Defence Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, June 2001.

[107] S.O. 253. See Ch. on ‘Documents’.

[108] PP 326 (1974); VP 1974–75/177 (19.9.1974).

[109] S.O. 253; Senate S.O. 183.

[110] E.g. Transcript of evidence, Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs (10.10.2003); Transcript of evidence, Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (26.7.2005); Transcript of evidence, Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (30.3.2010). Magistrates have also appeared before committees.

[111] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, VP 2013–16/58–9 (13.11.2013). The resolution is reproduced in full as an attachment to the Standing Orders.

[112] Committee procedures for dealing with witnesses, PP 100 (1989). Recommendation repeated: 10 years on, PP 91 (1998); It’s your House, PP 363 (1999); Building a modern committee system, PP 144 (2010). A similar resolution was adopted by the Senate in 1988.

[113] Covered in previous editions (6th edn pp. 693–5).

[114] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 12.

[115] PP 77 (1994)—minutes 17.12.93.

[116] PP 498 (1989)—minutes 28.11.89.

[117] Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Transcript of evidence, 2 December 1983, p. 1362.

[118] Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, s. 16(2). The enactment of the Parliamentary Privileges Act followed, and sought to reverse, judicial decisions which had allowed witnesses before Senate committees to be examined in court as to their committee evidence.

[119] Parliamentary committees: powers over and protection afforded to witnesses, Paper prepared by I. J. Greenwood and R. J. Ellicott, PP 168 (1972) 31.

[120] Opinion of Solicitor-General, dated 8 August 1941.

[121] E.g. Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure, minutes, 31.5.1995; and see H.R. Deb. (7.9.2000) 20385–7.

[122] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 16.

[123] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraphs 10 and 11.

[124] See Enid Campbell, ‘Parliament and the Executive’, in Leslie Zines (ed), Commentaries on the Australian Constitution, Butterworths, 1977, p. 100.

[125] Joint Committee on the Parliamentary Committee System, A new parliamentary committee system, PP 128 (1976) 87.

[126] PP 128 (1976) 87.

[127] Both are quoted in full in Odgers, 6th edn, pp. 830–44.

[128] Parliamentary committees: powers over and protection afforded to witnesses, Paper prepared by I. J. Greenwood and R. J. Ellicott, PP 168 (1972) 37–8.

[129] See for example efforts by the Joint Committee on Migration Regulations to gain access to departmental information and the compromise whereby the committee chair and deputy chair were given access to the papers. Committee minutes of proceedings 19.7.90, 4.9.90, 18.10.90.

[130] And see Senator Greenwood’s later view on the conclusiveness of a Minister’s certificate, PP 215 (1975) 51.

[131] S 2 (1950–51) 8.

[132] S. Deb. (8.3.1951) 154–7.

[133] S 2 (1950–51) 16.

[134] J 1950–51/215 (7.3.1951), 220 (8.3.1951).

[135] Senate Standing Committee of Privileges, Matters referred by Senate resolution of 17 July 1975, PP 215 (1975).

[136] Letter from the Secretary, Department of the Interior, dated 21 December 1967.

[137] PP 244 (1977) 20.

[138] And see Odgers, 14th edn, p. 501.

[139] S.O. 240.

[140] A Senate committee in 1973 decided not to take evidence from a witness in similar circumstances, see Odgers, 6th edn, p. 361.

[141] PP 480 (1995) 5.

[142] H.R. Deb. (9.11.2000) 22635–6.

[143] H.R. Deb. (14.2.2013) 1387.

[144] S.O. 250.

[145] J 1974–75/597 (15.4.1975).

[146] S. Deb. (15.4.1975) 981–4.

[147] J 1974–75/628–9 (22.4.1975).

[148] For a detailed discussion of pecuniary and personal interest see Ch. on ‘Members’, and for a more detailed description of the case see Odgers, 6th edn, pp. 172–4.

[149] May, 24th edn, pp. 252–4, 837–41.

[150] S.O. 254(b).

[151] S.O. 51(d); see also Ch. on ‘Parliamentary privilege’.

[152] E.g. H.R. Deb. (7.9.2000) 20385–7.

[153] J 1998–2001/4830 (30.8.2001).

[154] Since current committees have become custodians of the web pages containing the reports and submissions of their predecessors, S.O. 237 has been seen as providing authority for the management and editing of such content.

[155] E.g. Committee of Privileges, minutes, 25.11.1993 (publication of transcript of in camera evidence to another party, PP 78 (1994)); minutes, 24.8.1995 (publication of submission to another party, PP 376 (1995)).

[156] E.g. Standing Committee on Expenditure, PP 244 (1977) 18–19.

[157] E.g. Standing Committee on Family and Human Services, minutes, 9.3.2005.

[158] Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, ss. 13, 16.

[159] S.O. 242(a).

[160] And see May, 24th edn, p. 827.

[161] This is the usual situation. Exceptionally, in the case of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit consent of the witness is necessary (Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951, s. 11A).

[162] This course has been followed by the Committee of Privileges, e.g. minutes, 14.12.1993, PP 78 (1994). see S.O. 242(c)(ii).

[163] House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure, Release of Tyre Safety Inquiry documents, PP 41 (1989) 6.

[164] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 7.

[165] Senate S.O. 37(2).

[166] Standing Committee on Procedure, Disclosure of in camera evidence, November 1991, PP 295 (1991).

[167] Standing Committee on Procedure, Ten years on: a review of the House of Representatives committee system, May 1998, PP 91 (1998) 32–3.

[168] VP 1998–2001/159–60 (3.12.1998).

[169] PP 156 (1976).

[170] Procedures for dealing with witnesses, Resolution of 13 November 2013, paragraph 7.

[171] Resolution of 11 October 1984, (reproduced as an addendum to the Standing Orders). E.g. VP 1993–96/2027 (9.5.1995); J 1993–96/2942–3 (27.2.1995).

[172] VP 1998–2001/2021 (7.12.2000), see Ch. on ‘Parliamentary privilege’.

[173] VP 2008–10/423–4 (24.6.2008).

[174] VP 1951–53/129 (17.10.1951).

[175] Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Observations and history of the committee, PP 4 (1978) ii.

[176] Copies of such documents held by government departments are effectively exempt documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, s. 46(c).

[177] And see Appendix 25.

[178] And see fourth edition p. 664.

[179] The published authorities at the time—the first edition of House of Representatives Practice was published five years later.

[180] Then S.O. 340 and Senate S.O. 308; May, 19th edn, p. 650; Odgers, 5th edn, p. 503. Current relevant references are S.O. 242; Senate S.O. 37; Odgers, 14th edn, p. 554; May, 24th edn, pp. 825–7; see also Senate privilege resolution 1 (12).

[181] Committee procedures for dealing with witnesses, PP 100 (1989).

[182] Even if a submission is removed from a committee’s website it may remain publicly available via search engine caches or internet archives.

[183] VP 1954–55/225–6 (26.5.1955), 239 (31.5.1955).

[184] VP 1985–87/1361 (26.11.1986); H.R. Deb. (26.11.1986) 3778.

[185] VP 1976–77/119 (6.4.1976).

[186] Reports 264 and 292 of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts, PP 75 (1987) and PP 317 (1988).

[187] Report 291 of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts, PP 146 (1988).

[188] E.g. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, Effectiveness of support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities: Interim report, PP 197 (1988). Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts—Community television: Options for digital broadcasting, First report of the inquiry into community broadcasting, PP 30 (2007); and Tuning in to community broadcasting, Second report of the inquiry into community broadcasting, PP 125 (2007).

[189] That is, report from time to time pursuant to Senate S.O. 25(18).

[190] E.g. VP 2013–16/1619–20 (12.10.2015) (Intelligence and Security); VP 2013–16/1543 (7.9.2015) (Public Accounts and Audit); VP 2013–16/2000 (16.3.2016) (Public Works). In these cases the annual report is a statutory requirement, but other committees have also presented one, e.g. VP 2013–16/67 (3.5.2016) (Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights).

[191] S.O. 244(a).

[192] S.O. 245.

[193] S.O. 244(e). Dissenting members have included committee chairs—see Report of the Joint Select Committee on an Australia Card, 1986. The chair (a Senator), and two House members dissented; Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport, Report on the inquiry into the use and marketing of electronic cigarettes and personal vaporisers in Australia, March 2018. The chair co-authored a dissenting report.

[194] E.g. PP 264 (1977) 71–2; in this instance one member added, separately, a protest and a dissent.

[195] E.g. VP 2002–04/1297 (5.11.2003); VP 2004–07/1964 (18.6.2007).

[196] H.R. Deb. (12.2.2007) 153–4.

[197] VP 2008–10/1243 (18.8.2009).

[198] VP 2010–13/1946 (1.11.2012).

[199] J 1993–96/4198 (22.11.1995).

[200] Standing Committee on Family and Human Services, Balancing work and family, PP 434 (2006).

[201] S.O.s 244(d), 247(a). Members of the Select Committee on Pharmaceutical Benefits had no power to add a protest or dissent to the committee’s report. Their dissent was shown in the minutes, printed as part of the report, PP 73 (1972) 95–147.

[202] E.g. H.R. Deb. (11.8.2004) 32768–71.

[203] There are no cases of this occurring. And see May, 24th edn, p. 833.

[204] S.O.s 246, 247(a). When minutes have not been available at the time of tabling, they have been presented, by leave, on a later day, e.g. VP 2002–04/1441 (18.2.2004).

[205] VP 2004–07/1349 (4.9.2006).

[206] VP 1998–2001/853 (20.9.1999).

[207] S.O.s 39(e), 247(b).

[208] S.O. 39.

[209] S.O. 39(d).

[210] S.O. 42.

[211] VP 2002–04/1431 (16.2.2004), 1455 (19.2.2004), H.R. Deb. (19.2.2004) 25340–49.

[212] VP 1954–55/225 (26.5.1955).

[213] S.O. 143(c). Such a statement means that the committee has reported for the purposes of standing order 148, enabling proceedings on the bill to continue. However, the statement is not considered to be a ‘report’ for the purposes of standing order 39 and the copy presented is not made a parliamentary paper.

[214] S.O. 39(a).

[215] E.g. VP 2013–16/68 (3.5.2016).

[216] S.O. 226.

[217] Senate S.O. 42.

[218] Although when they are available a more complete understanding of the Senate committee process is possible, e.g. PP 449 (1993) 225–7, 271–3.

[219] E.g. Joint Committee on Prices, Prices of household soaps and detergents, PP 326 (1974), tabled in the Senate and ordered to be printed on 15 August 1974, J 1974–75/155 (15.8.1974); tabled in the House on 19 September 1974, VP 1974–75/177 (19.9.1974).

[220] E.g. VP 1985–87/989 (27.5.1986); VP 2013–16/1057 (4.12.2014).

[221] VP 1980–83/1220 (10.11.1982).

[222] E.g. VP 2008–10/1275 (7.9.2009).

[223] Former S.O. 340.

[224] PP 135 (1987). Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, s. 13 deals with in camera evidence, see Ch. on ‘Parliamentary privilege’.

[225] VP 1985–87/899 (1.5.1986); H.R. Deb. (1.5.1986) 2890—statement by deputy chair of the Joint Select Committee on an Australia Card; H.R. Deb. (20.10.1986), 2331-2—personal explanation by a committee member regarding a newspaper report of the member’s dissenting report (presented 25.11.1986).

[226] VP 1940–43/157–8, 161 (3.7.1941). In 1955 attempts were made to have one of the committee’s reports and related documents published. The report concerned allegations of fraudulent practices during the years of World War II. The Prime Minister having first agreed to table the report later declined to do so on the grounds of justice to the individuals concerned, VP 1954–55/293–4 (6.9.1955), 301 (13.9.1955); H.R. Deb. (6.9.1955) 360–75; H.R. Deb. (13.9.1955) 572–6.

[227] VP 1951–53/129 (17.10.1951).

[228] VP 1954–55/94–5 (12.10.1954).

[229] The Minister tabled the committee’s first report on 11 September 1952; VP 1951–53/417 (11.9.1952).

[230] Sometimes the committee has presented an abridged version of a report provided to the Minister.

[231] S.O. 247(c). In the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, the Second Deputy Speaker has given the direction.

[232] The first two examples were: a report of the Standing Committee on Communications, Transport and the Arts released in Melbourne on 11 May 2001 following the centenary sittings, H.R. Deb. (4.6.2001) 27116; and a report of the Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs released on 29 December 2003 (the committee had a reporting deadline of 31 December), VP 2002–04/1406 (10.2.2004).

[233] VP 2004–07/21 (17.11.2004).

[234] S.O. 226(b). Senate S.O. 38(7) has equivalent provisions.

[235] Resolution of 29 September 2010, VP 2010–13/44 (29.9.2010). Governments had followed a practice of responding formally to committee reports since 1978, H.R. Deb. (25.5.1978) 2465–6. While the original commitment was to respond within six months, in 1983 this period was reduced to three months, S. Deb. (24.8.1983) 141–2.

[236] Guidelines for the presentation of documents to the Parliament (including government documents, government responses to committee reports, ministerial statements, annual reports and other instruments), Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, February 2017, pp. 8–11.

[237] Responses to PAAC recommendations on administrative matters are made by Executive Minute. The general approval and tabling process of the guidelines do apply in the case of responses to PAAC policy recommendations.

[238] Responses are generally made during debate on the bill or by the moving of government amendments.

[239] E.g. VP 1978–80/1237 (22.11.1979); VP 2002–04/1577 (1.4.2004); VP 2010–13/260 (25.11.2010).

[240] E.g. VP 1993–96/2687 (30.11.1995); VP 1996–98/95 (9.5.1996); VP 1998–2001/1156 (9.12.1999); VP 2010–13/261 (25.11.2010); VP 2013–16/90 (5.5.2016).

[241] E.g. VP 1993–96/1683 (8.12.1994); VP 1996–98/340 (27.6.1996); VP 1998–2001/1596 (28.6.2000); VP 2010–13/242 (24.11.2010); VP 2013–16/1795 (2.12.2015).