One of the principal functions of the Senate, perhaps more important than the functions of making laws and debating matters of public interest, is to conduct inquiries into such matters of public interest and into the conduct of government. Inquiries assist the Senate to obtain information which is necessary to enable it to legislate effectively and to inform the public of the manner in which government is conducted so that the electors will also be capable of making informed decisions.
Inquiries are conducted principally by seeking information and opinions from persons who possess the information and whose views are likely to be significant. The formal method whereby this information-gathering is conducted is through hearings of evidence at which witnesses attend and provide information by making submissions and answering questions.
Inquiries and witnesses
Protection of witnesses
Summoning of witnesses
Immunity from summons
Senators as witnesses
Members or officers of other Houses
Former members of other Houses as witnesses
Ministerial staff as witnesses
Public servants as witnesses
Statutory office-holders as witnesses
Foreigners as witnesses
Evidence from overseas
Witnesses in custody
Swearing in of witnesses
Procedures for the examination of witnesses
Publication of in camera evidence
Offences by witnesses
Evidence given elsewhere by senators or officers
Witnesses as participants in the legislative process