Senate Environment and Communications References Committee

Senate Environment and Communications References Committee
Name	Senate Environment and Communications References Committee
Chamber	Australian Senate
Jurisdiction	Commonwealth of Australia
Formed	19December 2006
Preceding	Select Committee
Chair	Labor Party (varies)
Members	5–7
Parent committee	Senate of Australia

Senate Environment and Communications References Committee is a standing references committee of the Australian Senate charged with examining matters referred by the Parliament of Australia relating to environment, communications and the arts. It conducts inquiries, receives submissions, holds hearings and reports to the Senate of Australia; its work intersects with federal agencies, statutory authorities and industry bodies. The committee’s activity connects with legislation, public policy and high-profile national debates involving energy, telecommunications, broadcasting and cultural heritage.

History

The committee was established following reconfigurations of parliamentary committees in the 2000s and formalized during the 41st Parliament of Australia sessions. Its antecedents include earlier bodies formed after recommendations from the J W McLeay Committee reviews and reorganizations influenced by practices in the House of Commons and the United States Senate. Throughout its existence the committee has intersected with major episodes such as debates generated by the Kyoto Protocol, the Digital TV transition, the National Broadband Network, and responses to environmental crises like the Black Saturday bushfires and the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season. Chairs and members have included parliamentarians associated with the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, the National Party of Australia, the Australian Greens, and crossbenchers from the Nick Xenophon Team and the Liberal Democratic Party.

Membership and Structure

Membership is determined by party representation in the Australian Senate and appointed at the start of each Parliament of Australia or when vacancies occur. The committee typically comprises senators from major parties including Liberal Party of Australia, Australian Labor Party, Australian Greens, and sometimes minor parties such as the United Australia Party or independents like those from the Jacqui Lambie Network. Administrative support comes from the Parliamentary Library, committee secretaries and staff drawn from the Department of the Senate. The committee’s structure allows for subcommittees and specialist advisers with expertise from institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, and the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Mandate and Functions

Primary functions derive from standing orders of the Senate of Australia and referrals by the Parliament of Australia; the committee examines policy, proposed legislation and public administration related to portfolio areas covered by ministers such as the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for Communications, and the Minister for the Arts. The committee interrogates agencies including the Department of Environment and Energy, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, statutory authorities like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the Special Broadcasting Service, and regulators such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. It advises on matters touching major projects like the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and infrastructure programs like the National Broadband Network. The committee’s remit extends to cultural institutions including the National Gallery of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Film and Sound Archive.

Inquiries and Reports

The committee initiates inquiries on matters referred by the Senate of Australia or self-initiated topics consistent with standing orders. Inquiries produce reports submitted to the Senate of Australia and sometimes to portfolio ministers such as the Attorney-General of Australia when legal issues emerge. Notable inquiries have covered the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, the Emissions Reduction Fund, telecommunications coverage and the Mobile Black Spot Program, copyright matters linked to the Copyright Act 1968, and scrutiny of broadcasting standards under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The committee has drawn evidence from witnesses including executives of Telstra, Optus, NBN Co, environmental NGOs like Australian Conservation Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, and industry associations such as the Australian Recording Industry Association and the Australian Publishers Association.

Notable Investigations and Impact

High-profile investigations have influenced public policy and legislative amendments following reports and recommendations debated by the Parliament of Australia. For example, scrutiny of the National Broadband Network project prompted parliamentary debate involving figures from NBN Co, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and ministers including Malcolm Turnbull. Environmental inquiries have intersected with scientific bodies such as the CSIRO and advocacy groups like Friends of the Earth Australia and led to contributions to protections for the Great Barrier Reef and assessments under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Cultural and media investigations have informed governance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and influenced funding for institutions like the National Library of Australia and the Australian Council for the Arts.

Procedures and Practices

Procedural operations are governed by the Standing Orders of the Senate. The committee issues public calls for submissions, publishes submissions and transcripts, and conducts public and private hearings often in venues including the Parliament House, Canberra. It follows evidence practices comparable to parliamentary committees in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Witnesses provide sworn or unsworn testimony; the committee may seek documents from agencies such as the Department of the Environment and Energy or statutory entities including the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Reports are tabled in the Senate of Australia and can trigger government responses, ministerial statements, and further referrals to bodies like the Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services or budget scrutiny by the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Category:Australian Senate committees