Social Development Committee

Full description

Establishment and Function

The Social Development Committee was established under the Parliamentary Committees (Joint Investigatory Committees) Act 1982. The purpose of the committee was to:

" inquire into, consider and report to the Parliament on -

(a) any proposal, matter or thing concerned with the social development of the people of the State;
(b) how the life of individuals, families and communities in the State may be improved; and
(c) the role of Government in promoting the welfare of the people of the State -

where the Committee is required or permitted to do so by or under this Act."
[S.4E (a)-(c)].

This was the first Committee established by Parliament to consider such issues, however, it did absorb the activities of the first Road Safety Committee (VA 3127) and completed its outstanding inquiry.

Joint Investigatory Committees

The Committee was a joint investigatory committee of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. The Committee comprised twelve members of whom no more than six could be appointed by the Council and no more than ten appointed by the Assembly.

As a joint investigatory committee, the Social Development Committee could inquire into matters referred to it by a joint resolution of both Houses or by order of the Governor-In-Council. It might 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 Social Development Committee (and any other joint investigatory committee other than the Public Bodies Review Committee) were not automatically accepted by Parliament. The responsible Minister, however, was required to table a report stating action to be taken regarding the recommendations within six months of the tabling of the report.

Social Development Investigations

The Committee conducted a number of investigations on a range of matters including a number of community issues which were particularly contentious at the time. Road safety issues were a particular concern of the Committee and at any one time during its existence, an inquiry was being conducted into some aspect of road safety. Examples of Committee investigations include:

Road Safety in Victoria (1982-1984)
Certification of Needs Legislation (1983-1984)
Psychologists Bill 1984 (1984-1985)
Future Use of Willsmere Hospital (1985)
Options for Dying with Dignity (1986-1987)
Child Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety (1986-1987)
Alcohol Abuse and Road Safety (1987-1988)
Role and Welfare of Companion Animals in Society (1987-1989)
Strategies to Deal with the Issue of Community Violence (1988-1989)
Motorcycle Safety in Victoria (1990-1992)
Mental Disturbance and Community Safety (1989-1992)

Abolition of the Committee

The Social Development Committee was abolished following the 1992 election by the Parliamentary Committees (Amendment) Act 1992 (No.64). The work of the Social Development Committee was effectively replaced by three new committees: the Community Development Committee (VA 3128), Crime Prevention Committee (VA 3129) and a reconstituted Road Safety Committee (VA 3130).

Location of Records

For records of this agency see list of series below.

**Special Access Conditions**

Although records transferred from this agency are available for public inspection, special access conditions apply. The records have been transferred to the Public Record Office on the understanding that they remain the property of the Parliament of Victoria. Parliamentary records are transferred on condition that all requests for access will be referred to the Clerk of the Legislative Council/Legislative Assembly as appropriate, for determination in each case.

Application to inspect the records should be made to the appropriate officer and written authorisation must be presented at the Public Record Office Search Rooms before records can be made available for inspection.