Frequently asked questions

• How do I get into Parliament House (Canberra)?

  Between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, entry to Parliament House is through the main entrance at the front of the building. You will have to go through security, which includes a metal detector and x-ray scanning of bags.

  Once you are inside Parliament House, please approach the security desk (to the right inside the front doors) and let them know you are appearing as a witness before a Senate Committee. Security will give you directions to the committee room.

  Before 9.00 am and after 5.00 pm, entry to Parliament House is via Security Point One in the underground public car park. Security Point One is located to the left of the stairs leading from the public car park to the forecourt. If you have any difficulties entering Parliament House, please contact the committee secretariat.

• Where do I park my car at Parliament House (Canberra)?

  Information on parking at Parliament House, including maps, is at: https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Planning_a_visit

• What sort of questions will the committee ask me?

  Questions are generally to clarify aspects of your written submission or to seek your views on other matters to do with the subject of the inquiry. Committees will often ask witnesses about evidence provided by other witnesses or submitters.

  There are some special rules that apply to the questioning of public servants.

• What if I can't answer a question?

  If you do not understand the question you should ask for clarification.

  If you cannot answer a question it is acceptable to say that it goes beyond your knowledge or expertise. If you need time to consider your answer, or to consult material you hold, you can offer to 'take the question on notice' (this means providing an answer in writing to the committee later).

• What if I don't want to answer a question?

  The committee will consider your reasons for objecting. If the committee insists on an answer, it will allow you to answer confidentially unless the committee considers that it is essential for an answer to be provided in public session. The committee may allow you to take the question on notice to give you the opportunity to provide a more considered answer.

• What if I have been invited to appear at a hearing but I do not want to give evidence?

  You should speak with the committee secretariat as soon as possible to discuss your concerns. Committees do not normally require people to give evidence but they do have the power to summons a witness if the circumstances warrant this.

• I would like to give evidence but cannot attend in person. What other options do I have?

  The committee may agree to you giving evidence by teleconference or video conference. Please contact the committee secretariat to discuss this.

• Can I bring someone else along to appear with me as a witness?

  The committee may agree to this but you should arrange it through the committee secretariat in advance. Witnesses appear at the invitation of the committee and the committee needs to know who will be appearing to give evidence.

  Organisations often send more than one representative, usually no more than four.

• Can a friend or family member accompany me to a public hearing?

  Yes. At a public hearing anyone is welcome to attend and listen. The committee might also agree to someone sitting with you at the witness table as support (but not to give evidence). If you would like to have a support person at the witness table let the committee secretariat know prior to the hearing.

• Can I listen to other people's evidence?

  If the hearing is public you are welcome to listen to other people's evidence.

• Can I make a presentation or show a video?

  No. It is difficult to record and broadcast a discussion around a presentation. However, the committee may accept a copy of the material that you want to present, and publish this as a tabled document.

• Can I give the committee additional information, for example documents, maps or photographs, to support my evidence?

  Yes. If you send additional information in advance (preferably by email) the secretariat will give it to the committee before the hearing. If you bring it to the hearing, it is helpful to bring enough copies to circulate to the committee. If you want it to be kept confidential please ask the committee and tell them why.

  The committee might also accept a supplementary written submission after the hearing if you wish to clarify or add to your evidence. It is always a decision of the committee to accept or not accept any material.

• How do I address committee members?

  You may call the chairperson of the committee 'Chair'.

  You may address other committee members as 'Senator' or 'Senator [Surname]', (for example 'Senator Smith') or if he or she is a member of the House of Representatives, 'Mr [Surname]' or 'Ms [Surname]'.

  The members of the committee will be identified by nameplates.

• Is there a dress code?

  No. Most witnesses wear business or neat casual dress.

• Who is on the committee?

  You can check the membership of the committee at: Membership of Committees

• Which committee members will be present?

  You can contact the committee secretariat close to the hearing date for this information. Usually, there will be two to six committee members present. There are almost always government and opposition members and there may also be minor party or independent members. Some committee members may join the hearing by teleconference or video conference. The committee members will be identified by nameplates.

• Who else will be present at the hearing?

  Public hearings are open for anybody to attend. In addition to the committee members, committee secretariat staff and parliamentary broadcasting and Hansard staff are present. Members of the public and the media may also be there as well as other witnesses who may not share the same views as you.

• I have a disability. Will that be accommodated at the hearing?

  Yes. Please notify the committee secretariat of your disability as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made.

• English is not my first language. Can I use an interpreter?

  Yes. The committee will take reasonable steps to provide an interpreter; or you can bring your own.

• Can I have legal counsel accompany me to a hearing?

  If you wish to consult counsel during the hearing you will need the committee to agree to this. You should contact the committee secretariat to pass on this request to the committee.

  See: Procedures to be observed by Senate committees for the protection of witnesses: Resolution 1(14).

• What is parliamentary privilege?

  Giving evidence is protected by parliamentary privilege. This means that it is an offence for anyone to try to stop you from giving evidence by threats or intimidation. It is an offence for anyone to harass you or discriminate against you because you have given evidence. What you say in evidence to a committee cannot be used in court against you or anyone else.

  See: Senate Brief No. 11: Parliamentary Privilege, and the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987

• If I criticise somebody during my evidence, can I be sued for defamation?

  No. You are protected by parliamentary privilege. However, if your evidence comments adversely on another person, the committee will send the comment to the other person so they can reply.

  'Adverse comment' is usually considered to be comments which, if they were not protected by parliamentary privilege, might justify suing for defamation: for example, allegations of professional incompetence, negligence, corruption or deception. Merely criticising another person's views is not adverse comment.

  The committee may choose to take evidence that contains adverse comment confidentially.

  If you repeat your comments outside the committee hearing, you are not protected by parliamentary privilege.

• I want to attend as a witness but somebody is trying to stop me doing so. What should I do?

  You should contact the committee secretary. Interference with witnesses is a contempt of the Senate and a criminal offence. The Senate and its committees take very seriously any attempt to interfere with witnesses.