Are there currently any backbench committees? What is their role?
A backbencher is a member of Parliament who is not a minister or a shadow minister. Backbenchers have important roles drawing attention to issues in their electorate or state/territory by speaking about them in the Australian Parliament, and debating and voting on bills – proposed laws.
If a backbencher is a member of the government or opposition, they may also be a member of a backbench committee. These committees are not official parliamentary committees but informal groups of backbenchers from the same team. Backbench committees undertake a range of jobs, such as investigating a bill or researching a topic to provide information to their team members.
A member of the opposition speaking in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
A member of the opposition speaking in the House of Representatives.
DPS Auspic
Description
A member of the House of Representatives makes a speech in the House. They are standing amongst members of their party. They are sitting in the seats on the left side of the House of Representatives where the opposition sit. The opposition is the largest party or coalition of parties that does not have the support of the majority of members in the House of Representatives.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.