What is it? who are they? our lives are very much affected by this entity involved in every thing I just have to ask those questions.
Who developed this group? when?
What powers do they have.
Why do they exist, what is their mission/purpose?

Dear Belly,

You'll find the answers to you questions
on the following website:

http://www.pc.gov.au/

The site will tell you that - they're basically
the government's independent research and advisory body
on a range of issues. They're role is to help the government
make better policies.

Anway, check out the website.

Thanks Foxy I did before posting.
I had some understanding ,not as much as I should have.
I am constantly bewildered by its apparent powers.it recently reviewed public vs private hospitals.
copy rights, the imported books thing and ruled against cheap imports.A review of regulations on oil and gas.
it talks of markets in water in the Murray Darling, and truthfully I am not concerned at its full schedule just wondering if it has final say or elected governments.

Dear Belly,

I'd assume that as an Advisory body
to the government - their role would
be simply to advise, that is investigate
given issues, publish reports on their
findings, and make appropriate
recommendations.
In other words help the government
make better policies concerning issues
affecting Australians.
I don't think it's their role to have a
final say on anything.

That must be what they refer to as a govt; advisery think tank
I should imagine that is the body that recommends govt, pay rises, all govt; has to do is pass it. By a vote i mean.
Who is advising our govt; on climate change.