The Australia Institute’s research recommends greater parliamentary oversight of the use of consultants in Australia’s public service, including using orders for documents to require consultants’ reports to be produced.

This bill, which would establish a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Consultancy and Services Contracts, is a welcome step forward. The proposed committee would consider and report on contracts referred by either house of Parliament, or the relevant minister.

Public consultancy contracts with a value of over $2 million would be mandatorily referred.

Either house of Parliament would have the opportunity to “disapprove” a contract after it is approved by the committee, somewhat analogous to the “disallowance” mechanism for delegated legislation.

These reforms would improve transparency and parliamentary oversight of consultancy contracts.