.png)
Parliamentary committees investigate specific areas of policy, government administration, and performance. They are integral to the functioning of Australia’s democracy as they provide a forum for organisations, experts, and individuals to participate in the policy-making process.
Standing committees are appointed at the start and for the entirety of a new parliament.
Select committees can be appointed at any time to investigate a specific issue.
Within some senate committees there is a legislation committee and a references committee. Legislation committees consider government expenditure, inquire into and report on bills referred to them, and monitor the performance of government departments/agencies. Legislation committees are always chaired by a member of the government. References committees inquire into and report on general matters referred to them by the Senate as opposed to specific bills, for example an investigation into Australia becoming a republic. They are always chaired by a member of the opposition or minority parties/independents.
There are currently 63 sitting committees they are as follows:
Appropriations, Staffing and Security
Chair - Sue Lines
Community Affairs
Legislation Chair - Marielle Smith
References Chair - Janet Rice
Economics
Legislation Chair - Jess Walsh
References Chair - Andrew Bragg
Education and Employment
Legislation Chair - Tony Sheldon
References Chair - Matt O’Sullivan
Environment and Communications
Legislation Chair - Karen Grogan
References Chair - Sarah Hanson-Young
Finance and Public Administration
Legislation Chair - Louise Pratt
References Chair - Richard Colbeck
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Legislation Chair - Raff Ciccone
References Chair - Claire Chandler
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Legislation Chair - Nita Green
References Chair - Paul Scarr
Privileges
Chair - Slade Brockman
Procedure
Chair - Sue Lines
Publications
Chair - Fatima Payman
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Legislation Chair - Glenn Sterle
References Chair - Matthew Canavan
Scrutiny of Bills
Chair - Dean Smith
Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation
Chair - Linda White
Selection of Bills
Chair - Anne Urquhart
Senators' Interests
Chair - Linda Reynolds
Work and Care
Chair - Barbara Pocock
Agriculture
Chair - Meryl Swanson
Appropriations and Administration
Chair - Milton Dick
Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
Chair - Tony Zappia
Communications and the Arts
Chair - Brian Mitchell
Economics
Chair - Daniel Mulino
Employment, Education and Training
Chair - Lisa Chesters
Health, Aged Care and Sport
Chair - Mike Freelander
Industry, Science and Resources
Chair - Rob Mitchell
Petitions
Chair - Susan Templeman
Privileges and Members' Interests
Chair - Rob Mitchell
Procedure
Chair - Shayne Nuemann
Publications
Chair - Fiona Phillips
Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport
Chair - Luke Gosling
Selection
Chair - Milton Dick
Social Policy and Legal Affairs
Chair - Peta Murphy
Workforce Australia Employment Services
Chair - Julian Hill
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Chair - Patrick Dodson
Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity
Chair - Catryna Bilyk
Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings
Chair - Milton Dick
Corporations and Financial Services
Chair - Deborah O’Neill
Electoral Matters
Chair - Kate Thwaites
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Chair - Shayne Neumann
Human Rights
Chair - Josh Burns
Implementation of the National Redress Scheme (Standing)
Chair - Marion Scrymgour
Intelligence and Security
Chair - Peter Khalil
Law Enforcement
Chair - Helen Polley
Migration
Chair - Maria Vamvakinou
National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation
Chair - Linda White
National Capital and External Territories
Chair - Alicia Payne
National Disability Insurance Scheme
Chair - Libby Coker
Northern Australia
Chair - Marion Scrymgour
Parliamentary Library
Co-chairs - Slade Brockman and Anne Stanley
Parliamentary Standards
Chair - Sharon Claydon
Public Accounts and Audit
Chair - Julian Hill
Public Works
Chair - Graham Perrett
Publications
Chair - Fiona Phillips
Trade and Investment Growth
Chair - Steve Georganas
Treaties
Chair - Josh Wilson
GovConnex Research is available first to GovConnex platform subscribers
Before you engage. GovConnex.
GovConnex provides research and workflow software for teams that interact with the government. Servicing large corporations, government relations firms, industry associations and lawmakers.
GovConnex Research provides quick insights and reports on all the elections, issues, and news that matters to you. Delivered to customers first.
Subscribe here to receive our fortnightly Research Briefs.
Subscribe here to receive our fortnightly Guidance Notes.
