Committee establishment, role and history

The joint committee is one of 13 joint committees in the Commonwealth Parliament, and is established by a resolution of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Further information on the establishment, role and powers of House of Representatives committees including joint committees on which Members of the House serve can be found at the Committee Office home page and in chapters 16 and 17 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.

In summary, the role of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral matters is to inquire into and report on such matters relating to electoral laws and practices and their administration as may be referred to it by either House of the Parliament or a Minister. The matters that may be referred by the House include reports by the Commonwealth Auditor-General. The Committee could also inquire into matters raised in annual reports of Commonwealth Government departments and authorities.

The Committee has had the following name changes in recent Parliaments:

1983-87 Joint Select Committee on Electoral Reform.