Government Guidelines for Official Witnesses before Parliamentary Committees and Related Matters - February 2015

The Guidelines are designed to assist departmental and agency officials, statutory office holders and the staff of statutory authorities in their dealings with the parliament. The term ‘official’ is used throughout the Guidelines; it includes all persons employed by the Commonwealth who are undertaking duties within a Commonwealth department or agency (whether employed under the Public Service Act 1999 or other legislation) and those in government business enterprises, corporations and companies.

Commonwealth Coat of Arms Information and Guidelines

Abstract

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms (the Arms) is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia that signifies Commonwealth authority and ownership.

The ‘Commonwealth of Australia’ is the legal entity established by the Constitution.  Where the term ‘Commonwealth Government’ has been used previously to refer to the national government, whether in relation to the elected government or the bureaucracy that serves it, it will normally be appropriate to replace it with ‘Australian Government’. 

Parliamentary sittings

The sitting dates for each chamber of the Parliament are set out below. Dates marked with an asterisk (*) are dates on which both chambers of parliament are sitting.

Sitting days are scheduled taking into account public holidays and school holidays. School holidays and public holidays are summarised in the ‘Other events’ section on this page.

Ministry list as at 1 June 2022

Each box represents a portfolio. Cabinet Ministers are shown in bold type. As a general rule, there is one department in each portfolio. However, there can be two departments in one portfolio. The title of a department does not necessarily reflect the title of a Minister in all cases. Ministers are sworn to administer the portfolio in which they are listed under the 'Minister' column and may also be sworn to administer other portfolios in which they are not listed.

Australian Government Response to the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Report: Inquiry into Exemption of Delegated Legislation from Parliamentary Oversight: Interim Report

Abstract

On 18 November 2021, the Australian Government tabled its response to the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Report: Inquiry into Exemption of Delegated Legislation from Parliamentary Oversight: Interim Report. The Committee’s Interim Report made 18 recommendations to the Government and the Parliament. The Australian Government has considered the recommendations of the Committee’s Interim Report and has provided a response.

Statement from the Panel

Today, the Expert Panel conducting the Religious Freedom Review provided its Report on freedom of religion in Australia.

This Report is the culmination of a nationwide consultation process, including a public submission process and face-to-face meetings in every State and Territory.

The Report reflects the input that the Panel received throughout the life of this process, research undertaken and the individual expertise of the Panel members. The Panel would like to thank the thousands of Australians who took the opportunity to have their say on this important issue.

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