Fatima Payman (WA, Australia's Voice) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That—

(a) the Senate notes that:

(i) the review of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 recommended that the Independent Review of Resourcing in Parliamentarian Offices (the resourcing review) recommend principles to be considered by the Prime Minister in determining staffing allocations, and

(ii) the resourcing review did not make any such recommendations; and

(b) the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by the first sitting day in 2026:

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

(i) the appropriateness of transferring the ability of the Prime Minister to determine the number of personal employees allocated to parliamentarians to the Remuneration Tribunal, for the purpose of ensuring that all parliamentarians are adequately resourced to represent their electors, and

(ii) any other related matters.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government will be opposing this motion. The Independent Review of Resourcing in Parliamentarian Offices was an independent review handled independently from government. The final report of this review was released on 1 August. The government has agreed in principle to all 10 recommendations and will work with parliamentarians on our response and reform. I know the Special Minister of State is, as always, available to engage with those acting in good faith on this matter.

Question negatived.