Committees

Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee

Mitch is Chairman of this committee.

Following an order of the Senate on 13 May 2009, the Senate's eight legislative and general purpose standing committees each now comprise a pair of committees: A Legislation Committee whose purpose is to deal with bills referred by the Senate, the Estimates process and oversee the performance of departments, including their annual reports, and a References Committee whose purpose is to deal with all other matters referred by the Senate.

The Finance and Public Administration Committee maintains oversight over three key portfolio: Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance and Deregulation and Human Services. The Committee also maintains oversight over two Parliamentary Departments: the Department of the Senate and the Department of Parliamentary Services. (Read more about this committee here)

Senate Select Committee on Scrutiny of New Taxes

Mitch is a member of this committee.

The Select Committee on New Taxes inquires into the following matters:

(a) new taxes proposed for Australia, including:
(i) the minerals resource rent tax and expanded petroleum resource rent tax,
(ii) a carbon tax, or any other mechanism to put a price on carbon, and
(iii) any other new taxes proposed by Government, including significant changes to existing tax arrangements;

(b) the short and long term impact of those new taxes on the economy, industry, trade, jobs, investment, the cost of living, electricity prices and the Federation;

(c) estimated revenue from those new taxes and any related spending commitments;

(d) the likely effectiveness of these taxes and related policies in achieving their stated policy objectives;

(e) any administrative implementation issues at a Commonwealth, state and territory level;

(f) an international comparison of relevant taxation arrangements;

(g) alternatives to any proposed new taxes, including direct action alternatives; and

(h) any other related matter.