Parliamentary Committees Act 1995

Queensland PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ACT 1995 Reprinted as in force on 6 June 2002 (includes amendments up to Act No. 73 of 2001) This is the reprint current on the repeal date Reprint No. 2F This reprint is prepared by the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel Warning—This reprint is not an authorised copy

Information about this reprint This Act is reprinted as at 6 June 2002. The reprint shows the law as amended by all amendments that commenced on or before that day (Reprints Act 1992 s 5(c)). The reprint includes a reference to the law by which each amendment was made—see list of legislation and list of annotations in endnotes. This page is specific to this reprint. See previous reprints for information about earlier changes made under the Reprints Act 1992. A table of earlier reprints is included in the endnotes. Also see endnotes for information about— • when provisions commenced • editorial changes made in earlier reprints.

Queensland PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ACT 1995 TABLE OF PROVISIONS Section Page PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1 Short title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2 Main object of Act and its achievement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3 Definitions—the dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 PART 2—COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 4 Establishment of statutory committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4A Membership of statutory committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 4B Quorum and voting at meetings of statutory committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5 Act does not limit Assembly’s powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 6 Application of Act to committees established by Assembly etc. . . . . . . . . . 7 PART 3—ROLE OF STATUTORY COMMITTEES 7 Purpose of pts 3 and 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 8 Role of statutory committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 PART 4—AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF STATUTORY COMMITTEES Division 1—Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee 9 Areas of responsibility of Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 10 Administrative review reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 11 Constitutional reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 12 Electoral reform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 13 Legal reform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 Division 2—Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee 14 Areas of responsibility of Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 15 Ethical conduct—registration of interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 16 Ethical conduct—code of conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 17 Parliamentary privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Division 3—Public Accounts Committee 18 Area of responsibility of Public Accounts Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 19 Reference of issues to auditor-general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Division 4—Public Works Committee 20 Areas of responsibility of Public Works Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 21 Meaning of “constructing authority” for work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Division 5—Scrutiny of Legislation Committee 22 Area of responsibility of Scrutiny of Legislation Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Division 6—Standing Orders Committee 23 Area of responsibility of Standing Orders Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PART 5—MINISTERIAL RESPONSE TO REPORTS BY COMMITTEES 24 Ministerial response to committee reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 PART 6—GENERAL POWERS OF COMMITTEES 25 Power to call for persons etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 26 Privilege against self-incrimination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 PART 7—PROVISIONS ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 27 Issues to which committee may have regard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 28 Entry and inspection of places. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 29 Restriction on procurement of capital works project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 30 Dealing with commercially sensitive information in private session . . . . . . 19 31 Reporting commercially sensitive information to Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 PART 8—OTHER PROVISIONS ABOUT STATUTORY COMMITTEES 32 Issues dealt with by previously constituted committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 33 Annual report of committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

3 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 SCHEDULE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DICTIONARY 22 ENDNOTES 1 Index to endnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 2 Date to which amendments incorporated. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 3 Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4 Table of earlier reprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5 List of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 6 List of annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

s1 5 s2 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES ACT 1995 [as amended by all amendments that commenced on or before 6 June 2002] An Act to provide for certain committees of the Legislative Assembly and for other purposes PART 1—PRELIMINARY 1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 . 2 Main object of Act and its achievement (1) The main object of this Act is to enhance the accountability of public administration in Queensland. (2) The Act’s main object is to be achieved by establishing committees of the Legislative Assembly with areas of responsibility that include— (a) administrative review reform, and constitutional, electoral and legal reform; and (b) the ethical conduct of members and parliamentary privileges; and (c) the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management; and (d) certain works undertaken by or for government; and (e) the application of fundamental legislative principles to particular Bills and subordinate legislation and the lawfulness of particular subordinate legislation; and (f) the Assembly’s standing orders.

s 3 6 s 4A Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 3 Definitions—the dictionary The dictionary in schedule 2 defines particular words used in this Act. 1 PART 2—COMMITTEES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY 4 Establishment of statutory committees The following committees of the Legislative Assembly (the “statutory committees” ) are established— • Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee • Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee • Public Accounts Committee • Public Works Committee • Scrutiny of Legislation Committee • Standing Orders Committee. 4A Membership of statutory committees (1) A statutory committee must consist of 7 members nominated as follows— (a) 4 members nominated by the member who is recognised in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the House; (b) 3 members nominated by the member who is recognised in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the Opposition. (2) The chairperson of a statutory committee must be the member nominated as chairperson by the member who is recognised in the Legislative Assembly as the Leader of the House. 1 In some Acts, definitions are contained in a dictionary that appears as the last schedule and forms part of the Act— Acts Interpretation Act 1954 , section 14(4).

s 4B 7 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 s6 4B Quorum and voting at meetings of statutory committees At a meeting of a statutory committee— (a) a quorum consists of 4 members appointed to the committee; and (b) a question is decided by a majority of the votes of the members of the committee present and voting; and (c) each member of the committee has a vote on each question to be decided and, if the votes are equal, the chairperson of the committee has a casting vote. 5 Act does not limit Assembly’s powers The Legislative Assembly’s power to establish committees, and confer functions and powers on committees (including statutory committees), is not limited by this Act. Example— The Assembly may, by resolution, establish a standing or select committee. 6 Application of Act to committees established by Assembly etc. (1) Although this Act is mainly about statutory committees, the following sections also apply to committees established by the Legislative Assembly— • section 24 (Ministerial response to committee reports) • section 25 (Powers to call for persons etc.) • section 26 (Privilege against self-incrimination). (2) However, the sections apply to a committee established by the Assembly subject to any resolution of the Assembly. (3) This Act (other than sections 24 and 26) does not apply to the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee of the Legislative Assembly.

s7 8 s9 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 PART 3—ROLE OF STATUTORY COMMITTEES 7 Purpose of pts 3 and 4 (1) This part sets out the role of statutory committees for their areas of responsibility. (2) Part 4 sets out the areas of responsibility for each statutory committee. 8 Role of statutory committees (1) The main role of a statutory committee is to deal with issues within its areas of responsibility. (2) The committee is to also deal with an issue referred to the committee by the Legislative Assembly or under another Act, whether or not the issue is within its areas of responsibility. (3) The committee may deal with an issue by— (a) considering it; and (b) reporting on it, and making recommendations about it, to the Legislative Assembly. PART 4—AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF STATUTORY COMMITTEES Division 1—Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee 9 Areas of responsibility of Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee The Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee has the following areas of responsibility— • administrative review reform • constitutional reform

s 10 9 s 12 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 • electoral reform • legal reform. 10 Administrative review reform (1) The committee’s area of responsibility about administrative review reform includes considering legislation, or provisions of legislation, about— (a) access to information; or (b) review of administrative decisions; or (c) anti-discrimination; or (d) equal employment opportunity. (2) The committee’s area of responsibility does not include— (a) investigating particular conduct; or (b) reconsidering or reviewing a decision to investigate, conciliate or review, not to investigate, conciliate or review or to discontinue investigation, conciliation or review of a particular complaint or decision; or (c) reconsidering or reviewing reports, findings, recommendations or decisions in relation to a particular investigation, complaint or decision or in relation to particular conduct the subject of a report under the Ombudsman Act 2001 , section 52. 2 11 Constitutional reform The committee’s area of responsibility about constitutional reform includes any Bill expressly or impliedly repealing any law relevant to the State’s constitution. 12 Electoral reform The committee’s area of responsibility about electoral reform includes monitoring generally the conduct of elections under the Electoral Act 1992 and the capacity of the electoral commission to conduct elections. 2 Ombudsman Act 2001 , section 52 (Report to Assembly on ombudsman’s initiative)

s 13 10 s 15 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 13 Legal reform The committee’s area of responsibility about legal reform includes— (a) recognition of Aboriginal tradition and Island custom under Queensland law; and (b) proposed national scheme legislation referred to the committee by the Legislative Assembly. Division 2—Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee 14 Areas of responsibility of Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee The Members’ Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee has the following areas of responsibility— • the ethical conduct of members • parliamentary privilege. 15 Ethical conduct—registration of interests The committee’s area of responsibility about the ethical conduct of members includes— (a) examining the arrangements, under resolutions of the Legislative Assembly, for compiling, keeping and allowing inspection of— (i) a register of the interests of members; and (ii) a register of the interests of persons related to a member; and (b) considering proposals made by members and other persons about the form and content of the registers and documents relevant to the registers, including statements of interests to be made by members; and (c) considering complaints referred to the committee about the failure to register particular interests; and (d) considering the classes of persons who should be treated as related to a member; and (e) considering any other issue about the registration of interests.

s 16 11 s 17 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 16 Ethical conduct—code of conduct (1) The committee’s area of responsibility about the ethical conduct of members includes— (a) recommending to the Legislative Assembly a proposed code of conduct for members (other than members in their capacity as Ministers); and (b) recommending to the Assembly a procedure for complaints about a member not complying with the code of conduct adopted by the Assembly, including, for example, the persons who may make complaints, or the persons who must refer complaints, to the committee; and (c) considering complaints against particular members for failing to comply with the code of conduct, reporting to the Assembly about complaints and recommending action by the Assembly. (2) In recommending a proposed code of conduct for members to the Legislative Assembly, the committee must have regard to— (a) the ethics principles and obligations set out in the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 ; and (b) the desirability of consistency between standards in the code of conduct and the ethics principles and obligations, to the extent the principles and obligations are relevant to members and their functions. (3) A complaint about a member not complying with the code of conduct for members may be considered only by the Legislative Assembly or the committee. (4) Subsection (3) has effect despite any other law, but the subsection does not apply to a court, tribunal or other entity if the entity may, under a law, consider an issue and the issue that is considered involves the commission, or claimed or suspected commission, of a criminal offence. (5) Subsection (4) does not limit or otherwise affect the privileges of the Legislative Assembly and its committees and members. 17 Parliamentary privilege The committee’s area of responsibility about parliamentary privilege includes the privileges of the Legislative Assembly and its committees and members.

s 18 12 s 20 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 Division 3—Public Accounts Committee 18 Area of responsibility of Public Accounts Committee The Public Accounts Committee’s area of responsibility is to assess the integrity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of government financial management by— (a) examining government financial documents; and (b) considering the annual and other reports of the auditor-general. 19 Reference of issues to auditor-general The committee may refer issues within its area of responsibility to the auditor-general for consideration. Division 4—Public Works Committee 20 Areas of responsibility of Public Works Committee (1) The Public Works Committee’s areas of responsibility are— (a) works ( “public works” ) undertaken by an entity that is a constructing authority for the work if the committee decides to consider the work; and (b) any major GOC work if the committee decides to consider the work. (2) In deciding whether to consider a public work, the committee may have regard to— (a) the stated purpose of the work and the apparent suitability of the work for the purpose; and (b) the necessity for, and the advisability of, the work; and (c) value for money achieved, or likely to be achieved, by the work; and (d) revenue produced by, and recurrent costs of, the work or estimates of revenue and costs for the work; and

s 21 13 s 21 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (e) the present and prospective public value of the work, including, for example, consideration of the impact of the work on the community, economy and environment; and (f) procurement methods for the work; and (g) the balance of public and private sector involvement in the work; and (h) the performance of— (i) the constructing authority for the work; and (ii) the consultants and contractors for the work; with particular regard to the time taken for finishing the work and the cost and quality of it; and (i) the actual suitability of the work in meeting the needs and in achieving the stated purpose of the work. 21 Meaning of “constructing authority” for work (1) An entity is a constructing authority for a work if the entity is the State or a department. (2) An entity is also a constructing authority for a work if— (a) the entity is established under an Act, or under State or local government authorisation for a public, State or local government purpose; and (b) the work is funded from— (i) the consolidated fund or the controlled receipts of a department; or (ii) the proceeds of a financial arrangement within the meaning of the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 . (3) In addition, a GOC is a constructing authority for a work if the work is undertaken specifically or substantially for a community service obligation of the GOC. (4) Also, an entity (a “commercial entity” ) is a constructing authority for a work if, under an agreement for the work— (a) the State or another entity representing the State— (i) has, or will or may have, a financial liability or interest; or

s 22 14 s 22 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (ii) has granted, or will or may grant— (A) land, or an interest in land; or (B) another right, privilege, monopoly, concession, franchise or interest; or (iii) has contributed, or will or may contribute, resources of any kind; and (b) the work has become, or will or may become, the absolute property of the State or another entity representing the State. (5) A GOC is a constructing authority for major GOC works referred to the committee by the Legislative Assembly. Division 5—Scrutiny of Legislation Committee 22 Area of responsibility of Scrutiny of Legislation Committee (1) The Scrutiny of Legislation Committee’s area of responsibility is to consider— (a) the application of fundamental legislative principles 3 to particular Bills and particular subordinate legislation; and (b) the lawfulness of particular subordinate legislation; by examining all Bills and subordinate legislation. 4 (2) The committee’s area of responsibility includes monitoring generally the operation of— (a) the following provisions of the Legislative Standards Act 1992 — • section 4 (Meaning of “fundamental legislative principles”) • part 4 (Explanatory notes); and 3 “Fundamental legislative principles” are the principles relating to legislation that underlie a parliamentary democracy based on the rule of law ( Legislative Standards Act 1992 , section 4(1)). The principles include requiring that legislation has sufficient regard to rights and liberties of individuals and the institution of Parliament. 4 A member of the Legislative Assembly, including any member of the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee, may give notice of a disallowance motion under the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 , section 50.

s 23 15 s 24 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (b) the following provisions of the Statutory Instruments Act 1992 — • section 9 (Meaning of “subordinate legislation”) • part 5 (Guidelines for regulatory impact statements) • part 6 (Procedures after making of subordinate legislation) • part 7 (Staged automatic expiry of subordinate legislation) • part 8 (Forms) • part 10 (Transitional). Division 6—Standing Orders Committee 23 Area of responsibility of Standing Orders Committee The Standing Orders Committee’s area of responsibility is standing orders about the conduct of business by, and the practices and the procedures of, the Legislative Assembly and its committees. PART 5—MINISTERIAL RESPONSE TO REPORTS BY COMMITTEES 24 Ministerial response to committee reports (1) This section applies if a report of a committee of the Legislative Assembly (other than the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee) recommends the Government or a Minister should take particular action, or not take particular action, about an issue. (2) The Minister who is responsible for the issue the subject of the report must provide the Legislative Assembly with a response. (3) The response must set out— (a) any recommendations to be adopted, and the way and time within which they will be carried out; and (b) any recommendations not to be adopted and the reasons for not adopting them.

s 25 16 s 26 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (4) The Minister must table the response within 3 months after the report is tabled. (5) If a Minister cannot comply with subsection (4), the Minister must— (a) within 3 months after the report is tabled, table an interim response and the Minister’s reasons for not complying within 3 months; and (b) within 6 months after the report is tabled, table the response. (6) If the Legislative Assembly is not sitting, the Minister must give the response (or interim response and reasons) to the clerk of the Parliament for tabling on the next sitting day. (7) Subsection (1) does not prevent a Minister providing a response to a recommendation in a report of the Scrutiny of Legislation Committee if it is practicable for the Minister to provide the response having regard to the nature of the recommendation and the time when the report is made. Example— If the committee recommends that a Bill be amended because, in the committee’s opinion, it does not have sufficient regard to fundamental legislative principles and the Bill has not been passed by the Legislative Assembly, it may be practicable for the Minister to provide a response. (8) This section does not apply to an annual report of a committee. PART 6—GENERAL POWERS OF COMMITTEES 25 Power to call for persons etc. A statutory committee is, by this section, authorised to call for persons, documents and other things. 26 Privilege against self-incrimination (1) This section applies to a statutory committee, or another committee of the Legislative Assembly authorised by the Assembly or an Act to call for persons, documents and other things. (2) If a person appearing before the committee does not— (a) answer a question asked by the committee; or

s 26 17 s 26 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (b) produce a document or thing the committee asked the person to produce to it; the chairperson of the committee may require the person to comply with the request. (3) However, the person need not comply with the requirement if— (a) the person objects to answering the question, or producing the thing, because answering the question, or producing the thing, might tend to incriminate the person; and (b) the person would have a claim of privilege against self-incrimination in a Supreme Court action if the person were asked the question or asked to produce the thing. (4) If a person does not comply with a request to appear before the committee or a requirement to answer a question or produce a document, the committee may report the failure to comply to the Legislative Assembly. (5) The Legislative Assembly may order a person to appear before a committee and answer any or particular questions, or produce any or particular documents or other things. (6) In deciding whether to make an order under subsection (5), the Legislative Assembly must have regard to— (a) the public interest in having the questions answered before the committee or the documents or other things produced to the committee; and (b) the public interest in providing appropriate protection to individuals against self-incrimination. (7) A person to whom an order under subsection (5) is directed must comply with the order despite subsection (3). (8) An order may be made under subsection (5) for a class of persons, including persons who have not appeared, or been asked to appear, before a committee. (9) Evidence may not be given in any proceeding of an answer given by a person before a committee or the fact that a person produced a document or other thing to a committee. (10) However, subsection (9) does not apply to— (a) a proceeding before the Legislative Assembly or a committee of the Assembly; or

s 27 18 s 28 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (b) a criminal proceeding about the falsity, or the misleading, threatening or offensive nature, of the answer, document or other thing. PART 7—PROVISIONS ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE 27 Issues to which committee may have regard In considering a work, the Public Works Committee may have regard to the issues mentioned in section 20(2)(a) to (i). 5 28 Entry and inspection of places (1) The Public Works Committee may authorise a committee member or anyone else (the “authorised person” ) to enter and inspect a place where a work that the committee is considering is proposed to be, is being or has been carried out. (2) The authorised person may inspect anything in the place relevant to the work. (3) Nothing in subsection (1) prevents the committee from authorising all members of the committee to enter and inspect the place. (4) However, the authorised person may enter the place only if the committee or authorised person gives reasonable written notice about the entry to the chief executive of the constructing authority for the work. (5) On being given the notice, the chief executive must promptly make arrangements for the entry, including, for example, obtaining the consent of the following— (a) if the place is occupied—the occupier of the place; (b) if the place is not occupied—the owner of the place. (6) The arrangements must ensure proper regard is given to safety. 5 Section 20(2)(a) to (i) sets out issues to which the committee may have regard in deciding whether to consider a public work.

s 29 19 s 30 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (7) The authorised person may enter and inspect the place without the consent mentioned in subsection (5) if the chief executive attempted to obtain the consent, but— (a) the attempt was unsuccessful (whether because the occupier or owner refused consent or otherwise); and (b) the chief executive gave written notice about the entry (of at least 7 days) to the occupier or owner. (8) In this section— “building” includes any structure. “chief executive” , of a constructing authority, includes its chief executive officer, however called. “place” includes premises. “premises” includes— (a) a building; and (b) a part of a building; and (c) land where a building is situated. 29 Restriction on procurement of capital works project (1) This section applies if the Legislative Assembly— (a) refers a work to the Public Works Committee; and (b) directs that procurement for the work must not start until the committee has considered the work and reported to the Assembly about it. (2) The work must not start or further proceed until the committee’s report is tabled in the Legislative Assembly and considered by it. (3) This section applies despite any other Act. 30 Dealing with commercially sensitive information in private session (1) This section applies if, while considering a work, it appears to the Public Works Committee that confidential information may be given to the committee in a public hearing and publication of the information at the hearing could—

s 31 20 s 32 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 (a) have a serious effect on the commercial interests of a GOC or commercial entity; or (b) reveal trade secrets of a GOC or commercial entity. (2) The committee must deal with the information in private session. (3) This section does not limit any other power of a committee to deal with an issue in private session. 31 Reporting commercially sensitive information to Assembly (1) This section applies if the Public Works Committee considers that information obtained by the committee while considering a work could, if reported to the Legislative Assembly— (a) have a serious effect on the commercial interests of a GOC or commercial entity; or (b) reveal trade secrets of a GOC or commercial entity. (2) The committee may report the information to the Legislative Assembly only if it considers it is in the public interest to report the information. PART 8—OTHER PROVISIONS ABOUT STATUTORY COMMITTEES 32 Issues dealt with by previously constituted committees (1) If the composition of a statutory committee changes before it finishes dealing with an issue, the newly constituted committee may continue and finish dealing with the issue as if it had dealt with the issue from the beginning. Example— Evidence given to the previous committee may be taken to have been given to the newly constituted committee. (2) Subsection (1) applies even if the committees are constituted during different Parliaments.

s 33 21 s 33 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 33 Annual report of committee (1) As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the chairperson of each statutory committee must table in the Legislative Assembly a report about the committee’s activities during the year. (2) The report must include— (a) a list of meetings of the committee and the names of members attending or absent from each meeting; and (b) a summary of issues considered by the committee, including a description of the more significant issues arising from the considerations; and (c) a statement of the committee’s revenue and spending for the year; and (d) a brief description of responses by Ministers to recommendations of the committee.

22 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 SCHEDULE 2 DICTIONARY section 3 “Annual Appropriation Act” has the meaning given under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 , schedule 3. “Bill” means a Bill proposed for enactment by the Parliament. “commercial entity” see section 21(4). “committee” means a committee of the Legislative Assembly, however established. “community service obligation” has the meaning given in the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 , section 121. “consider” includes examine and inquire. “constructing authority” see section 21. “government financial documents” includes— (a) a document tabled in the Legislative Assembly under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1977 ; and (b) the annual financial statements and annual reports of a GOC; and (c) a document that would be a government financial document if it had been tabled in the Legislative Assembly as required by law; but does not include estimates of receipts for the proposed expenditure under an Annual Appropriation Act. “major GOC work” means a work (other than a public work) undertaken as part of a major infrastructure investment outlined in a GOC’s statement of corporate intent. 6 “member” means a member of the Legislative Assembly. 6 Under the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 , section 115(1)(e) a GOC’s statement of corporate intent may include an outline of the major infrastructure investments proposed to be undertaken by it during the relevant financial year.

23 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 SCHEDULE 2 (continued) “proposed national scheme legislation” means a Bill for an Act— (a) that is intended to be substantially uniform with, or complementary to, legislation of the Commonwealth or another State; and (b) whose operation may, under the Act, be changed by amendment of a law of the Commonwealth or another State. “public work” see section 20(1). “statutory committee” see section 4. “work” includes— (a) a project, service, utility or undertaking; and (b) a part or stage of a work; and (c) a repair, reconstruction or extension of a work. Examples of paragraph (b)— 1. Any intermediate stage of a work between planning and completion. 2. Engagement of professional consultants for a work. 3. Calling of tenders for a work.

24 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 ENDNOTES 1 Index to endnotes Page 2 Date to which amendments incorporated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 3 Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 4 Table of earlier reprints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 5 List of legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 6 List of annotations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 2 Date to which amendments incorporated This is the reprint date mentioned in the Reprints Act 1992, section 5(c). Accordingly, this reprint includes all amendments that commenced operation on or before 6 June 2002. 3 Key Key to abbreviations in list of legislation and annotations Key AIA amd amdt ch def div exp gaz hdg ins lap notfd o in c om orig p para prec pres Explanation = Acts Interpretation Act 1954 = amended = amendment = chapter = definition = division = expires/expired = gazette = heading = inserted = lapsed = notified = order in council = omitted = original = page = paragraph = preceding = present Key prev (prev) proc prov pt pubd R[X] RA reloc renum rep s sch sdiv SIA SIR SL sub unnum Explanation = previous = previously = proclamation = provision = part = published = Reprint No.[X] = Reprints Act 1992 = relocated = renumbered = repealed = section = schedule = subdivision = Statutory Instruments Act 1992 = Statutory Instruments Regulation 1992 = subordinate legislation = substituted = unnumbered

25 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 4 Table of earlier reprints TABLE OF EARLIER REPRINTS [If a reprint number includes a roman letter, the reprint was released in unauthorised, electronic form only.] Reprint No. 1 2 2A 2B 2C 2D 2E Amendments included none to Act No. 2 of 1996 to Act No. 61 of 1997 to Act No. 29 of 1999 to Act No. 2 of 2001 to Act No. 73 of 2001 to Act No. 73 of 2001 Reprint date 25 September 1995 31 May 1996 16 December 1997 24 August 1999 25 May 2001 7 December 2001 11 January 2002 5 List of legislation Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 No. 38 date of assent 15 September 1995 commenced on date of assent rep 6 June 2002 (2001 No. 81 s 125) amending legislation— Statute Law (Minor Amendments) Act (No. 2) 1995 No. 51 ss 1–2, 4 sch date of assent 22 November 1995 commenced on date of assent Parliamentary Committees Legislation Amendment Act 1996 No. 2 pts 1–2 date of assent 24 April 1996 commenced on date of assent Criminal Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1997 No. 61 pts 1, 3 date of assent 5 November 1997 ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent remaining provisions commenced 8 December 1997 (1997 SL No. 416) Financial Administration Legislation Amendment Act 1999 No. 29 ss 1–2, 50 sch date of assent 16 June 1999 ss 1–2, 50 commenced on date of assent remaining provisions commenced 1 July 1999 (1999 SL No. 122 and see 1999 SL No. 119, 1999 SL No. 70 s 2(3)) Parliamentary Committees and Criminal Justice Amendment Act 2001 No. 2 pts 1–2 date of assent 3 May 2001 commenced on date of assent

26 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 No. 69 ss 1–2, 378 sch 1 date of assent 8 November 2001 ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent remaining provisions commenced 1 January 2002 (2001 SL No. 221) Ombudsman Act 2001 No. 73 ss 1–2, 96 sch 1 date of assent 13 November 2001 ss 1–2 commenced on date of assent remaining provisions commenced 3 December 2001 (2001 SL No. 224) 6 List of annotations Membership of statutory committees s 4A ins 1996 No. 2 s 3 amd 2001 No. 2 s 3 Quorum and voting at meetings of statutory committees s 4B ins 1996 No. 2 s 3 amd 2001 No. 2 s 4 Application of Act to committees established by Assembly etc. s 6 amd 1996 No. 2 s 4; 1997 No. 61 s 51; 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1 Administrative review reform s 10 amd 2001 No. 73 s 96 sch 1 Ethical conduct—code of conduct s 16 amd 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch Areas of responsibility of Public Works Committee s 20 amd 1996 No. 2 s 5 Meaning of “constructing authority” for work s 21 amd 1999 No. 29 s 50 sch Power to call for persons etc. s 25 sub 1996 No. 2 s 6 Privilege against self-incrimination s 26 amd 1996 No. 2 s 7 Repeals s 34 om R1 (see RA s 40) Amendments s 35 om R1 (see RA s 40) PART 9—TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS pt hdg amd R1 (see RA s 7(1)(k)) Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee to take over unfinished issues from Parliamentary Committee for Electoral and Administrative Review s 36 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41)

27 Parliamentary Committees Act 1995 Criminal Justice Committee to take over certain unfinished issues s 37 sub 1996 No. 2 s 8 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41) Public Accounts Committee to take over from Parliamentary Committee of Public Accounts s 38 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41) Public Works Committee to take over from Parliamentary Committee of Public Works s 39 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41) Scrutiny of Legislation Committee to take over from Committee of Subordinate Legislation s 40 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41) Expiry of part s 41 exp 15 September 1996 (see s 41) SCHEDULE 1—ACTS AMENDED om R1 (see RA s 40) SCHEDULE 2—DICTIONARY def “Annual Appropriation Act” amd 1999 No. 29 s 50 sch © State of Queensland 2002