Could you estimate the cost of running parliamentary committees?

Thanks for your question, Declan.

Parliamentary committees investigate issues and proposed laws in detail so members of parliament are well-informed before making decisions.

Using information contained in their annual reports, it is possible to calculate how much it costs the Department of the Senate and the Department of the House of Representatives to run parliamentary committees each year.

Committees hold meetings – called hearings – to closely examine and research issues and then write reports to present their findings to the Senate or House of Representatives. Hearings are held all across Australia, not just at Parliament House in Canberra, to make them accessible to all members of the community. Each committee has a secretariat — a group of parliamentary employees — who assist with running the hearings and writing the report to present to parliament.