Committee review of Executive decisions:

Rubber stamp or game changer?

2013 Australasian Study of Parliament Group Conference

4 October 2013, Perth

Cronulla Fisheries Centre

Protests against Cronulla closure

‘The Committee has concluded that the decision to close the Cronulla Fisheries Research Centre of Excellence was imprudent and devoid of the transparency and accountability required of major government decisions. Therefore, this decision should be reversed in the public interest …’

Committee Chair, Revd Fred Nile, Hansard, 23 October 2012.

Cronulla Fisheries Inquiry: Findings

Media coverage of Cronulla Fisheries Inquiry

Prisons Committee

Protests against Grafton closure

‘The Committee found that, notwithstanding the failures in the process, the reasons upon which Corrective Services NSW based its decisions to downsize or close facilities are justified.’

Committee Chair, Paul Green, Media Release, 14 June 2013.

Prisons Inquiry: Findings

Media coverage of Prisons Inquiry

Three potential benefits of inquiry process

2. Capacity to improve future decision-making3. Hold the Executive to account

1. Scrutinise questionable decisions – ‘shine light into dark corners’

1st: Shine light into dark corners

Three benefits of inquiry process

The Hon. CATE FAEHRMANN: Minister, I assume you have tabled the cost benefit analysis into the closure now… Why was the cost benefit analysis not tabled with the questions on notice that we received this morning from the department with hundreds and hundreds of documents? My toner cartridge ran out trying to print it all off ...Mr PATERSON: Because it was not concluded.The Hon. STEVE WHAN: It was completed today, was it?Mr PATERSON: Yes.The Hon. CATE FAEHRMANN: You completed it today?Mr PATERSON: We did.The Hon. CATE FAEHRMANN: We received the questions on notice this morning. The cost benefit analysis into this decision was completed today by your department?Mr PATERSON: Yes.

Questions on the cost benefit analysis

2nd:Improve future decision- making

Benefits of inquiry process

Decision making process

Decentralisation policy

3rd:Reinforce Executive accountability to Parliament

Benefits of inquiry process

‘When I am invited by upper house inquiries I go. I expect my ministers to go.’

Premier Barry O’Farrell, Radio 2GB, August 2012.

What the Premier had to say…

Committee review of Executive decisions …

Rubber stamp or game changer?

Conclusion