Seven committee chairs yet to launch inquiries despite $26,000 pay bump

Loading

Rob Mitchell, chair of the industry, innovation and science standing committee, said he wanted to develop research that would deliver results and was pleased with the time it took.

Member for McEwen said: “It’s not something that concerns me. We’ve all bounced around a few ideas.” “We examine, we look at different issues…we discuss, we check different ideas.”

Mitchell said the industry committee had received briefings from departments to launch an upcoming investigation.

“What are you thinking [constituents] Do you want faster progress or better results?” he said. “The committees did work that was an absolute waste of space. Our committee was really good in the sense that we all worked closely together, put forward ideas, and got some very good things that were bipartisan. “Beer tax was one of them.”

Susan Templeman, chair of the standing committee on communications, arts and sport, said it was important to receive specific briefings from relevant departments in preparation for the development of an investigation.

“The committee is evaluating investigative options and we expect these investigations to begin in the near term,” the statement said.

MPs Carina Garland, Louise Miller-Frost and Meryl Swanson have also not yet launched an investigation but declined interviews. In similar statements, they noted the value of the cross-party committee, their commitment to duty and the investigations completed in the previous period.

Tony Burke, spokesman for the House leader, said: “Parliamentary committees operate across party lines and are an important part of the workings of parliament. These committees are examining options and we expect further investigations to be launched soon.”