Parliament of The Cook Islands - Select Committees

Select Committees

Legislation is scrutinised by Select Committees, which must consist of between five and seven members. Committees have the power to send for witnesses and records to assist in their deliberations. As in other Westminster Systems, the proceedings of select committees are protected by Parliamentary privilege.

The number and roles of subject committees is regulated by Standing Orders. Currently the following subject committees exist:

Select Committee Areas of responsibility
Commerce Business development, commerce, communications, consumer affairs, energy, information technology, insurance, and superannuation.
Education and Science Education, industry training, research, science, and technology.
Finance and Expenditure Audit of the Crown’s and departmental financial statements, review of departmental performance, Government finance, revenue and taxation.
Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Trade Customs, defence, disarmament and arms control, foreign affairs, immigration and trade.
Land, Local Government, and Cultural Affairs Land, Outer Islands, local government, culture, language, traditional affairs.
Law and Order Courts, prisons, police.
Labour Labour, employment relations, occupational health and safety.
Privileges Powers privileges, and immunities of Parliament and its members.
Social Services, Health, and Environment Housing, senior citizens, social welfare, work and income support, public health, environment, conservation.

In addition there are three standing select committees tasked with the regulation of parliament. These are:

Select Committee Areas of responsibility
Government Caucus Committee Business of Parliament each day and the order in which it is taken.
Standing Orders Committee Amendments to Standing Orders.
Bills Committee Private bills.

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