Rhetoric, political grandstanding or lengthy dull answers can usually get you through a tricky spot in parliamentary questions or a
debate, but a select committee hearing allows a more detailed
consideration with
follow up questions and probing.
In Re W (children)(leave to remove)[2008] 2 FCR 420 Charles J suggested that such meetings, while under
debate, should be subject to the
following considerations: l the format, structure, content and purpose of the meeting; l the role of the judge; l the participation and presence of others in or at the meeting; l what is to be passed on to anyone not present or represented at the meeting; l how matters asserted by a child to the judge are to be tested; l whether anything that is not passed on to the parties can be taken into account by the judge; and l what explanation is to be given to the child before and after the meeting.