Joint Committee on Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee (previously known as Economic Development Committee (1992-2007))

Full description

Establishment and Function

The Economic Development Committee was established by the Parliamentary Committees Act 1968 (No.7727) as amended by the Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Act 1992 (No.64/1992). The 1992 Act inserted a new section 4 into the principle Act to establish a number of committees. The principle Act had previously been amended by the Parliamentary Committees (Joint Investigatory Committees) Act 1982 and the Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Act 1989.

The purpose of the Committee was to:

" inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on any proposal, matter or thing connected with economic development or industrial affairs, if the Committee is required or permitted so to do by or under this Act." [new s. 4EC, inserted by the 1992 Act].

The Economic Development Committee was one of two Committees established by the 1992 Act which effectively replaced the Economic and Budget Review Committee (VA 3138), the other being the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (VA 3137).

Joint investigatory committees

The Economic Development Committee is a joint investigatory committee of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. As such it may comprise no more than nine members of which no more than two members could be appointed by the Council and no less than two appointed by the Assembly.

As a joint investigatory committee, the Economic Development Committee could inquire into matters referred to it by a resolution of either House or by order of the Governor-In-Council. It may also inquire, consider or report to Parliament on any annual report or document relevant to its functions laid before either House. Recommendations made by the Economic Development Committee (and any other joint investigatory committee other than the Public Bodies Review Committee) are not automatically accepted by Parliament. The appropriate responsible Minister, however, is required to table a report stating action to be taken regarding these recommendations within 6 months of the tabling of the report.

On the 21st March 2007, following the commencement of the Parliamentary Legislation Amendment Act 2007, the Committee was renamed the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee.

On the 1st August 2013, pursuant to the Parliamentary Committees Amendment Act 2013, the Joint Investigatory Committees known as the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee [VA 3139] and the Outer Suburban / Interface Services and Development Committee [VA 4776] were abolished.

The Economic Development, Infrastructure and Outer Suburban Interface Services Committee was established as successor committee [ see VA 5220, 2013 -2015 ].