Adoption of Privilege Resolutions on the rights of witnesses appearing at committee hearings / Senate Committees

The Senate Privilege Resolutions ensure witnesses in committee inquiries are treated fairly and consistently. They provide witnesses with a summary of the mutual rights and obligations of inquiry participants:

'The corollary of the great power over witnesses possessed by the Senate … is that witnesses possess extensive legal protection in respect of their cooperation with Senate inquiries.'
Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice, 2016

There have been no changes to the Privilege Resolutions since their adoption in 1988. However, the Senate and its committees have continued to evolve practices to refine interpretations of the Resolutions and respond to changing circumstances, technological advances and cases that have come before the Committee of Privileges.