The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliament

Read the paper The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliament

Outlines how Australian parliaments adapted to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on NSW. It highlights how the pandemic affected the ease with which parliaments could fulfil their functions of making laws, controlling state finances, oversighting the executive arm of government, and providing a forum for debate of matters of importance.

Provides an overview of the changes made to parliamentary practice and procedure that enabled parliaments to continue operating albeit in a limited form. The role of technology in this is highlighted, and the implications for parliamentary democracy are explored, with consideration of how parliaments can best adapt and respond should similar challenges arise in future.

Talina Drabsch
Parliamentary Research Service
e-brief 1, 2021

Published: 14 July 2021