Oversight

The power of investigation

The State Parliament’s power to investigate is another instrument of parliamentary scrutiny. The State Parliament is authorised to set up a parliamentary select committee to look into matters in the public interest. If at least one-fifth of MPs in the State Parliament requests that a select committee be set up, it must be done. The select committee is hence a particularly potent weapon of the opposition, as it can usually call for a committee without the help of the majority parties. A parliamentary select committee conducts a process which is very similar to that of a court: invited witnesses are obliged to tell the truth. Select committees have a very extensive right to information from the state government, its representatives and even third parties. Select committees report their findings to the State Parliament.