The Independent Review of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System will be conducted by Independent Reviewers who will examine the arrangements that support parliamentarians and their staff to ensure these continue to be fit for purpose and accord with community expectations.
Parliament is critical to Australia’s democracy and parliamentarians must be properly enabled to effectively serve their communities and the national interest.
Conduct of the review
The Independent Reviewers will consult widely and prepare a report containing findings and recommendations for the Special Minister of State within 18 months.
The report will be tabled in each House of Parliament.
A taskforce has been established in the Department of Finance to provide dedicated secretariat support to the independent function of the review.
Scope
The review will be wide ranging and will include:
- statutory reviews of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 and the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984
- a review of the implementation of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Set the Standard report and
- a review of the arrangements that support the safety and security of parliamentarians and their staff.
The review will also consider recommendations arising from associated reviews, including the Independent Review of Resourcing in Parliamentarian Offices.
The Independent Reviewers will not make findings about any individual workplace conduct or expenses matter.
