25th anniversary of the select committee system

25 July 2010 is the 25th anniversary of the establishment by the House of Representatives of the current system of subject select committees. [1]   This was one of the more significant reforms of New Zealand’s Parliament in the period prior to the adoption of MMP.

The powers of the select committees will be greatly enhanced, and there will be an opportunity for effective parliamentary scrutiny of Government, not just for parliamentary scrutiny of legislation.

–– Hon. Geoffrey Palmer, Leader of the House, 16 July 1985 [2]  

Select committees carry out most of the House’s in-depth scrutiny of legislation and government activity –– they have been called the “workhorses” of Parliament. [3]   While select committees have played an important part in the life of the House of Representatives since its inception in 1854, the Standing Orders adopted on 25 July 1985 completely reorganised the system of select committees and significantly extended their jurisdiction and powers. For example, previously only the Public Expenditure Committee had the power to examine the expenditure of government agencies, but from 1985 this right of inquiry was extended to all committees. The purpose of these changes was to rebalance the legislative and scrutiny roles of committees, thus strengthening the accountability of the Executive to Parliament by more systematic, comprehensive scrutiny of government activity. [4]  

Since 1985 the thirteen subject select committees [5]   have had the power to initiate inquiries themselves within their subject areas, which were structured so as to reflect the organisation of departmental responsibilities. This was extended in 1996 so that committees were no longer tied to the policy, administration and expenditure of government agencies and could inquire into any matter falling within their respective subject areas.

It is in select committees that the public can become directly involved with the work of the House. This interchange between parliamentarians and public, particularly as part of the legislative process, is the most distinctive feature of New Zealand’s parliamentary system. However, public involvement in the select committee process was not always standard practice. The Standing Orders adopted in 1985 now allowed for the public to be present at select committees during the hearing of evidence on a bill or any other matter. [6]   An article in the Dominion noted that: “critics would say giving politicians new powers and an audience is a recipe for disaster: they will go berserk”. [7]   This fear was never realised – select committees now undertake a range of legislative and scrutiny functions and this, coupled with increased public accessibility, has made the subject select committee system a central feature of New Zealand’s Parliament.

Local Government and Environment Committee meeting, 22 July 2010. Photo: Ross Becker, Parliamentary Service Collection.