Committee Office
Appearing as a witness at a Parliamentary committee hearing
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Appearing at a public hearing (PDF 586KB)
The following advice is provided for those appearing as witnesses at
parliamentary committee hearings.
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has slightly different procedures.
(Standard advice on preparing a submission to a parliamentary
committee is also available but note that the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has slightly different procedures).
As part of their investigative role, parliamentary committees conduct
hearings at which individuals and representatives of organisations are
questioned on an open inquiry topic. Hearings enable witnesses to clarify and
expand on their written submissions and allow the committee to seek additional
information.
As committee hearings are an extension of the proceedings of the Parliament,
they must be treated with the same respect that those proceedings command.
Generally, committee hearings are conducted in public, although in certain
circumstances the committee may take evidence in private (see
in camera hearings).
Who can be called to a hearing?
The committee determines who shall be called to a hearing. The committee
secretariat will contact witnesses to advise the date, time and place
of a hearing.
An organisation called to give evidence generally can determine who will represent it at the hearing, although a committee may request specific office holders or individuals to attend. Organisations should ensure that they send to the hearing witnesses who have appropriate knowledge of the issues before the committee.
It is helpful if organisations advise the committee secretary as soon as possible after being called to a hearing of the names of the people who will attend
Those who decline the committee's invitation to attend a hearing can be summoned to appear if the committee considers the circumstances warrant such action.
What to do on arrival
Upon arrival at the hearing venue, witnesses should introduce themselves to committee staff. Prior to giving evidence, witnesses must complete witness detail forms for use by the Parliamentary Reporting Staff (Hansard). These forms can be obtained from committee staff. In most cases they will be sent to witnesses for completion before the hearing and should be returned to the secretariat by the date indicated.
If the public hearing is in progress, witnesses are welcome to observe
proceedings before being called to give evidence.
Calling of witnesses
When the committee is ready, the Chair will call witnesses to the table.
The Chair will ask witnesses to state their full name and the capacity
in which the witness is appearing before the committee.
Before taking evidence, the Chair may ask a committee member or the committee
secretary to administer an oath or affirmation. Regardless of whether
an oath or affirmation is required, the giving of false or misleading
information may be considered a contempt of Parliament.
Examination of witnesses
Generally, witnesses are given an opportunity to make a short opening
statement (preferably no more than five minutes). This can be used to
clarify, amend or expand on points made in written submissions.
Questions then will be directed to witnesses through the Chair. The questions
are designed to clarify aspects of written submissions and to seek views
and information on the inquiry topic.
Parliamentary privilege
The giving of evidence to a parliamentary committee is privileged. Essentially this means that no legal action can be taken against the witness in relation to the evidence given during a hearing. This immunity does not apply if, after the hearing, the witness repeats statements made in evidence. Additionally, people who intimidate or threaten a witness may be punished.
Documents tendered
If witnesses wish to tender additional documents relevant to the inquiry, these should be provided in time for the committee secretariat to distribute to committee members prior to the hearing. Alternatively, sufficient copies should be brought for all committee members.
Questions on notice
If witnesses are unable to answer a question or provide information at the hearing, they may seek permission to provide a written answer to the committee at a later date.
Sometimes a committee may seek additional information on specific issues from a witness after the hearing.
Government officials
The practice that has developed is that staff of Commonwealth or State
departments are not required to answer questions which seek opinions on
policy, reasons for policy decisions or advice which officers may have
tendered in policy formulation. Officers will be given reasonable opportunity
to refer questions to their department or to a Minister (see also the
document Government guidelines
for official witnesses before parliamentary committees and related matters (PDF 144KB).
In camera (private) hearings
If before the hearing a witness considers that information to be provided by the witness or requested by the committee is confidential, the witness can request that the evidence be heard in camera. If the request is granted by the committee, the public and media will be excluded from the hearing. The Chair or any member of the committee also may request that the hearing be in camera, particularly if the evidence adversely reflects on a third person or is subject to legal proceedings.
While in camera evidence is treated as secret when it is heard, the committee has the power to publish the evidence at a later date if the circumstances warrant such action. If the committee gives an undertaking to the witness that in camera evidence will not be disclosed, such evidence would only be released by the committee with the written agreement of the witness.
Recording of evidence
Hearings are recorded verbatim by Hansard. As soon as possible after the hearing, the committee secretariat will send witnesses a proof transcript for correction of errors of transcription (but not content or style). Corrected transcription should be returned to the secretariat within the time limit specified.
Further information
Further information can be sought from the secretary of the committee
conducting the particular inquiry or from:
Clerk Assistant (Committees)
House of Representatives
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Phone: 61 2 6277 4397
Fax: 61 2 6277 2396
email: committee.reps@aph.gov.au
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