Committees administered by the Senate Committee Office


Committees administered by the Senate Committee Office

Introduction

During the reporting period, the Senate Committee Office provided staffing and resources for the following committees:

  • Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees; and
  • Specific Joint Statutory Committees

Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees – up to 10 September 2006

As indicated above, each Senate Standing Committee comprises a Legislation Committee and a References Committee. Under Senate Standing Orders, these Committees are re-established at the beginning of each Parliament and “stand ready” to inquire into and report on those matters relevant to their portfolio/subject area. Under Senate Standing Orders, Legislation Committees are established to inquire into and report on Bills, estimates, annual reports and the performance of government departments and agencies. References Committees inquire into and report on all other matters, generally broader policy issues.

The Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees and the relevant portfolio/subject areas allocated to them are as follows:

Community Affairs
  • Legislation                                                     
  • References 
 Health and Ageing
Families, Community Services and
Indigenous Affairs
Economics
  • Legislation 
  • References
 Treasury
Industry, Tourism and Resources
Employment, Workplace Relations
and Education
  •   Legislation                                                     
  •   References
 Education, Science and Training
Employment and Workplace Relations
Environment, Communications,
Information Technology and the Arts
  •   Legislation                                                     
  •   References
 Environment and Heritage
Communications and Information Technology
and the Arts

Finance and Public Administration

  •   Legislation                                                     
  •   References
 Parliament
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Finance and Administration
Human Services

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

  •   Legislation                                                     
  •   References
 Foreign Affairs and Trade
Defence (including Veterans’ Affairs)

Legal and Constitutional

  •   Legislation                                                     
  •   References
 Attorney-General
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

Rural and Regional Affairs and
Transport

  •   Legislation
  •   References
 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Transport and Regional Services

Legislative and General Purpose Standing Committees – from 11 September 2006

On 11 September 2006 Senate committees were restructured. The new committees will continue the work of the previous legislation and references committees for the same portfolio responsibilities. The committees have an expanded membership of eight. Particulars of each committee can be found at the relevant web page. Each new committee will be known as the Senate Standing Committee on:

  • Community Affairs
  • Economics
  • Employment, Workplace Relations and Education
  • Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
  • Finance and Public Administration
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

Joint Statutory Committees

During the reporting period, the Senate Committee Office also administered two Joint Statutory Committees comprising members of the House of Representatives and Senators. These are:

  • Australian Crime Commission; and
  • Corporations and Financial Services

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