Photo: VNP/Louis Collins
Parliament's final weeks of the year began with Scrutiny Week, and while bellicose exchanges dominated headlines, much examination took place in relatively calmer hearings.
Coverage of Parliament's biannual scrutiny weeks is often dominated by the more theatrical moments of verbal sparring between ministers and opposition MPs.
But in the hearings where ministers are absent, leaving only ministry officials and committee MPs present, the lack of a minister-vs-opposition dynamic allows for a more inquisitive and constructive dialogue.
One such example last week was the annual review hearing of the Ministry of Justice, which carried a noticeably calmer, more focused tone.
There is considerable crossover between
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