3.11 Conduct Estimates Committee Hearings (Parliament)
There are seven estimates committees, titled A-G. There are seven days of public hearings (one for each committee) during which time the entire budget is scrutinised.
During the estimates process, Ministers (supported by senior departmental staff) are required to answer committee questions regarding their portfolio's proposed expenditures. Other Members of the Legislative Assembly who are not members of the estimates committee may also ask questions, with the leave of the committee. Time limits are imposed on both questions and answers. Written answers can be provided for questions taken on notice.
When the committees' hearings are completed, the committee members meet, discuss the information gained and compile a final report for the Legislative Assembly. The committees' reports are tabled in Parliament where they are debated by the Assembly in the 'consideration in detail' stage prior to being adopted.
Governance
Estimates Committees are a key accountability mechanism of Government. They allow representatives of Parliament as a whole to question the decisions made by the Cabinet Budget Review Committee in compiling the State Budget.
Timing
Estimates Committee hearings are held in the weeks following the delivery of the State Budget.
Further information
Estimates committees processNext step: 3.12 Consider the Appropriation Bills (including supply for following year) (Parliament)
Previous step: 3.10 Table Budget papers in Parliament (Treasurer)
Last reviewed 4 August 2009

