Lesley Clark discusses her participation on parliamentary committees and the review of the committee system in which she was involved. She outlines her involvement with the committee exploring democracy and young people.
Bill Hewitt discusses the crafting of legislation and considers the role of the parliament and parties as a check on the executive. He discusses the introduction of questions without notice. He also talks about estimates debates.
Bill Hewitt recalls his early experiences as an MP and the support he received from Treasurer Thomas Hiley. He discusses his appointment as secretary of the joint parties and Chairperson of Committees in 1975 after serving in the role in a temporary capacity. He talks about his approach to managing the committees.
Jim Fouras describes implementing parliamentary reforms, including the development of education programs, the removal of the Union Jack, and the creation of new committees.
Judy Spence comments on her role in chairing a committee in 2010 that looked at reforming the committee system. She says that the reforms have the potential to transform the way the Queensland parliament works, as it will facilitate public consultation and enable members to concentrate more on their role as legislators.
Judy Spence discusses her role in chairing a committee on reforming the committee system of the Queensland parliament in 2010, destined to be the most far reaching reforms since the upper house was abolished in 1922. She states that this system where people can scrutinise legislation before it gets presented to parliament will be unique in Australia, shared only with New Zealand and some unicameral provincial legislatures in Canada.
Judy Spence discusses the commitment of the Goss Government to re-establishing the committee system following its dismantling by the National Party in the 1970s and 1980s. She describes the dynamism of the committee system in the 1990s, whose chairs included Peter Beattie, Matt Foley, Rod Welford, Judy Spence, Tony McGrady, Robert Schwarten and others who went on to become ministers. She outlines the further decline in the committee system where reports are now routinely ignored by the media, academia and the parliament resulting in less accountability.
