Are there currently any backbench committees? What is their role?

A backbencher is a member of Parliament who is not a minister or a shadow minister. Backbenchers have important roles drawing attention to issues in their electorate or state/territory by speaking about them in the Australian Parliament, and debating and voting on bills – proposed laws.

If a backbencher is a member of the government or opposition, they may also be a member of a backbench committee. These committees are not official parliamentary committees but informal groups of backbenchers from the same team. Backbench committees undertake a range of jobs, such as investigating a bill or researching a topic to provide information to their team members.

A man wearing a blue suit and tie stands at a desk with his hands on a lecturn. Other men in suits and a couple of women sit listening at thier desks. The chairs and carpet are green.

A member of the opposition speaking in the House of Representatives.

DPS Auspic

A member of the opposition speaking in the House of Representatives.

A man wearing a blue suit and tie stands at a desk with his hands on a lecturn. Other men in suits and a couple of women sit listening at thier desks. The chairs and carpet are green.

DPS Auspic

Description

A member of the House of Representatives makes a speech in the House of Representatives.

Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.