How many senate estimates committees are there?
Senate estimates is when senators scrutinise – closely examine – how the government is spending taxpayers' money. The estimates committees question ministers and government departments on how they have spent this money and what they plan to spend it on in the future.
The 8 standing – permanent – committees of the Senate conduct the estimates hearings. Each has government departments and agencies to examine in the estimates process. For example, the Community Affairs Committee questions the Department of Health and Services Australia, and the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee examines the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Home Affairs.
Senate estimates in action
DPS Auspic
Senate estimates in action
DPS Auspic
Description
Members of parliament sitting at desks in rows opposite each other in a committee room at Australian Parliament House. There are folders of paper and laptops in front of them. One member of parliament is speaking to the group and the others are listening.
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