The elected Members of the Assembly, on behalf of their constituents, take a special interest in planning and land management issues. A number of Assembly Standing Committees may have a role in considering aspects of the Authority’s operations. On occasions, Select Committees are formed that may inquire into specific issues concerning the Authority's operations.

The ACT Legislative Assembly

The Assembly as a whole has the power to recommend that the Minister direct the ACT Planning and Land Authority to do certain things within our charter. This power is used infrequently. It is commonly the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning and Environment that reports on planning and land management matters.

Standing Committee on Planning and Environment

This Committee examines matters related to planning including draft variations to the Territory Plan, public works and land management, conservation and heritage, transport services, and environment and ecological sustainability.

Standing Committee on Legal Affairs (duties of Scrutiny of Bills & Subordinate Legislation Committee)

This Committee, when performing the duties of a scrutiny of bills and subordinate legislation:

• considers whether any instrument of a legislative nature made under an Act which is subject to disallowance and/or disapproval by the Assembly is in accord with the general objects of the Act under which it is made;
• considers whether any explanatory statement or explanatory memoradum associated with legislation and any regulatory impact statement meets the techincal or stylistic standards expected;
• ensures the clauses of bills introduced into Assembly does not trespass on personal rights and liberties or inappropriately delegate legislative powers; and
• reports about human rights issues raised by bills presented to the Assembly.

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

This Committee:

• examines the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the ACT and its authorities and all reports of the Auditor-General which have been presented to the Assembly;
• reports to the Assembly any items or matters in those accounts, statements and reports, or any circumstances connected with them, to which the Committee is of the opinion that the attention of the Assembly should be directed;
• inquires into any question in connection with the public accounts which is referred to it by the Assembly and to report to the Assembly on that question; and
• examines matters relating to economic and business development, small business, tourism, market and regulatory reform, public sector management, taxation and revenue and sustainability.