Although it is normal practice to receive and consider submissions, select committees are not required to do so. It is usual for submissions to be heard in public. However, depending on the nature of the submission, committees can also hear evidence either in private or in secret. Secret evidence, on the other hand, remains secret unless the House chooses to disclose it. While submissions can be discussed freely during their preparation, once a submission has been sent to a committee it becomes the property of that committee.
Committees usually release submissions when they start hearing evidence.
It is not a breach of parliamentary privilege for you to release your submission before the committee has received it. However, such a release may be seen to be discourteous by the committee. Should you wish to release your submission, to the press for example, before it has been heard by the committee you should contact the Clerk of the Committee beforehand. Costs You are responsible for paying your own travel expenses to meeting venues and all other personal costs associated with presenting your submission. Travel Select committees may travel within New Zealand to obtain evidence and hear submissions.