Parliamentary oversight reforms

Queensland Parliament has signed off on an historic operational overhaul, implementing major reforms to the parliamentary committee system.

The Parliament of Queensland (Reform and Modernisation) Amendment Bill 2011 (the Bill) introduced in April, aims to strengthen and support the role of the Legislative Assembly in scrutinising legislation and executive government.

It follows the landmark Committee System Review Report, released last year to reform the parliamentary committee system which proposed 55 recommendations to enhance the parliamentary committee system and improve government accountability.

Seven new portfolio committees have been established, including the Community Affairs Committee, which the Commission will now report to.

The first Community Affairs Committee estimates hearing will be held on 21 July and will cover:

• child safety
• youth justice
• community services
• multicultural affairs
• housing
• women
• sport, and
• Aboriginal affairs.

Other significant changes to the committee system include a more flexible process that allows for Directors-General and CEOs of statutory authorities, for the first time, to be directly questioned during estimates hearings.

All new bills will also need to be referred to a committee for consideration and public hearings before progressing through parliament, except in urgent and extraordinary cases.

Commissioner Elizabeth Fraser has welcomed the reforms which will continue to support the Commission’s independence and provide oversight of its operations.

The Commission previously reported to the Social Development Committee twice a year and a separate committee at the annual estimates hearing in July. The Commission was scheduled to meet with the Social Development Committee in May 2011, but was delayed following the introduction of the Bill in early April.

The Bill and the Explanatory Notes are available here.

Last Updated: June 22, 2011

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