Senate debates Motions

Members of Parliament: Staffing


Fatima Payman

Fatima Payman WA, Australia's Voice

11:44 am

I, and also on behalf of Senators Thorpe, Babet and Tyrrell, move:

That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 October 2025:

Sections 4 and 12 of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, with particular reference to:

(a) the appropriateness of amending those sections to either remove or place conditions on the ability of the Prime Minister to determine the number of personal employees allocated to parliamentarians, for the purpose of ensuring that all parliamentarians are adequately resourced to represent their electors; and

(b) any other related matters.

Paul Scarr

Paul Scarr Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration

I move an amendment, as circulated, to the motion moved by Senator Payman and others:

Omit "27 October 2025", substitute "29 August 2025".

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

The question is that the amendment as moved by Senator Scarr to the motion moved by Senator Payman and others be agreed to.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

11:54 am

Senator Roberts, I believe you have an amendment to Senator Payman's motion.

Malcolm Roberts

Malcolm Roberts Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party

I withdraw my amendment.

Michaelia Cash

Michaelia Cash WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

I move:

That the question be now put.

Question agreed to.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

The question is that the motion as moved by Senator Payman and others be agreed to.