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Ch18 Parliamentary committees / APPOINTMENT AND DURATION / Joint committees appointed by resolution



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House of Representatives                                Ch 18                                                 p 631

 

Parliamentary committees / APPOINTMENT AND DURATION

 

Joint committees appointed by resolution

A joint committee (other than a statutory committee) is established by a motion originating in one House and agreed to in the same terms by the other House. A proposal for a joint committee may originate in either House.

A resolution by the House proposing the establishment of a joint committee defines the nature and limits of the authority delegated to the committee in the same way as a resolution appointing a committee of the House. However, it also includes a paragraph stating:

That a message be sent to the Senate acquainting it of this resolution and requesting that it concur and take action accordingly. 1

The Senate considers the resolution and may agree to its provisions, suggest modifications or reject the proposal altogether. Its decision is conveyed to the House by message. Where modifications are proposed, the House may choose to:

  • accept them; 2
  • accept them and add modifications of its own;
  • reject them;
  • reject them and request the Senate to reconsider them; 3 or
  • reject them and suggest an alternative. 4
  • In the case of a total rejection, or a failure to respond to a message, the House may choose to appoint a committee of the House with the same purposes instead. 5

    Joint committees may be standing committees, usually established at the start of a Parliam ent, or select committees established for a specific short term purpose.



    VP 1998-2001/164.



    VP 1987-89/150. In 2004, at the commencement of the 41st Parliament, the Senate sent the House a message seeking modifications in respect of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services. However, in a later message it agreed to the original terms, VP 2004-05/46, 65.



    VP 1974-75/828-9, 870.



    VP 1973-74/139, 149.



    In 1973 a Joint Committee on Environment and Conservation was proposed by the House, rejected by the Senate, and a House Standing Committee on Environment and Conservation established, VP 1973-74/124-5, 247; J 1973-74/216.