Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Fifty years ago today the Senate established a committee system that forever changed the role and work of senators and the Senate and the parliament itself.

On 11 June 1970, after five hours of debate, the Senate adopted two important resolutions.

One established legislative and general purpose standing committees to inquire into government activity and legislation in seven subject areas.

The other established five estimates committees to examine government spending.

The change in the work of the Senate was immediate and dramatic.

Senate committees had produced around 120 reports in the 69 years prior to the change and more than 5,500 reports in the 50 years since.

Public hearings in the same period increased from 500 prior to the change to over 7,000 since.

Through its committee work the Senate became a force for inquiry and scrutiny in a way that was scarcely imagined in 1970—dare I say even in 1901—and in ways that reinforce the uniqueness of this chamber across the Westminster world.

I have said previously this chamber is the prime legislative chamber in the nation, with a direct mandate from the people, constitutional authority to press its case and an electoral system that ensures the diverse voices of the nation are heard.

But a substantial part of this standing is the direct result of the committee system that has operated over the last five decades and that brings these institutional features to life.

I am pleased to inform the Senate that later in the year the 50th anniversary will be marked with the launch of new website resources to visualise the work of the more than 250 Senate committees established since 1901. These will explore the history and achievements of committees and chart thousands of committee hearings in hundreds of locations around Australia.

The launch will provide all of us with an opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the work of the Senate's committee system, and I look forward to providing further detail about that event in coming months.

Finally, I cannot mention this anniversary without acknowledging the work of the staff of the Senate, particularly those from various functions who have supported the work of Senate committees over the decades.

The work we do as senators is built upon these foundations and the support we have received from the thousands of staff who have worked here over the last 50 years. So, on behalf of all senators, to all the staff over the years, led by all the clerks: thank you.

Honourable senators: Here, here!