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Your Guide to Parliament
Committees in Parliament
Information obtained from brochure issued by: Public Education Office
of Parliament (021) 403 8200
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Introduction
The National Assembly (NA) and
National Council of Provinces (NCOP) are divided in committees. In the NA the
committees are called portfolio committees, for each government department.
In he NCOP the committees are called Select Committees each dealing with
various government department or issues. The Constitution is clear that
Parliament must have real power to discuss, change or even reject Bills
(draft bills) that come from Cabinet. This means that committees in Parliament
have a very important role to play. Although there were committees
in Parliament before 1994, they did not play a very active role, nor were
their meetings open to the public. Committees now play a vital role
as part of the process of building democracy and public involvement in
Parliament. What has changed since
1994? Committee meetings are open
to the public The most important change is
that everyone has the right to attend all meetings of the committees. The
press can attend and report on what happens there to keep the public
informed. The
public has a say The
committees must take account of the views of the public. Often they hold
hearings or ask for submissions. Even where they do not, the public can
inform the chairperson or members of the committee about issues that concern
them. Committees
are more active Much
of the important work of Parliament is now done in committees. They have made
it clear that they are no just there to be a “rubber stamps”. They make
changes to Bills that come from Cabinet and question Ministers and
Departments about the work they do. Committee
are more inclusive All
minority parties have a right to representation on committees. Their
proposals are some times accepted by the Committee. Some of the Chairpersons
of the Committees are from opposition parties. What are the Committees? Committees
consist of Members from various parties who are appointed to serve on
specific committees. The Committee
deals with specific portfolios aligned to the specific portfolio of a
Minister i.e. the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture and Land Affairs, deals
with matters related to the Portfolio of the Minister for Agriculture and
Land Affairs. |
There
are also joint Committees, these are committees that deal with matters that
jointly affects both Houses (NA & NCOP), such as the Joint Standing
Committee on Defence. Committees
are some times appointed to deal with special matters and are this referred
to as ad hoc (temporary) committees. There
are also committees which deal with the internal affairs of Parliament, such
as the Committee that drafts Parliaments Programme, or the Committee on
Internal Arrangements, which deals with the cleaning services, restaurants
etc of Parliament. Who’s who on a Committee? Each
committee has a chairperson and a committee secretary. The Chairperson sees
to the orderly proceeding of Committee Meetings, whilst the Committee Secretary
see to the administrative functions of the Committee i.e minute taken, and
arranging meetings and the venues. What the Committees do Discussing Bills Most
of the work done by the Committees relates to dealing with Bills. The
Committee discusses ad if necessary makes changes t o the Bills. Consulting the Public The
Committee can call for public hearing on specific Bill or matter. The
public however also has the right to apply for an opportunity to voice
matters which may be of concern to them. The
specific Department aligned to the Committee also consults with the
Committee. Members
of the Public can also contact their local, provincial or national
representative to raise matter on their behalf. Holding government accountable Every
year, the committees hold briefings with the Departments, on the Budget and
how the money was spent. Committees can also call Ministers and officials to
account for their actions (work they did). Committees
can also hold the government accountable by scrutnising policies drafted and
adopted by Ministers and their Departments/ Parliament and You The
public has a right to be involved in the activities of Parliament, it is your
responsibility to be involved in Parliament, and ensure your voice is heard. |
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