Review of PBR Act and IPEA Act
Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham
Minister for Finance
Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator for South Australia
The Morrison Government has today announced the required statutory review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act) and Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 (IPEA Act) will be undertaken by the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer and the Hon Kate Ellis.
Ms O’Dwyer and Ms Ellis are former Ministers of the Commonwealth and were both members of Parliament prior to and during the operation of the PBR Act and IPEA Act.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the Review would meet requirements to examine the legislative framework that oversees the administration and use of parliamentary business resources by members of Parliament.
“The PBR Act and IPEA Act provides important scrutiny and oversight to the provision of resources, such as office accommodation and travel expenses, to elected representatives to carry out their parliamentary business,” Minister Birmingham said.
“This Review will consider how the current legislative framework provides appropriate levels of accountability and transparency to the use of taxpayers’ money.
“I thank both Ms O’Dwyer and Ms Ellis for agreeing to undertake this review and trust their diverse experience within the public and private sectors will hold them in good stead to examine whether the operation of the current legislative framework and administrative arrangements is effective.”
The reviewers will consult with key stakeholders, including current and former parliamentarians, MOP(S) Act employees, the Department of Finance, IPEA (including Members of the Authority) and the Remuneration Tribunal, to inform the review.
The Department of Finance will provide secretariat support to assist Ms O’Dwyer and Ms Ellis to conduct the review.
Given the subject of the Review, it is important to note that in their capacity as former members of Parliament, Ms O’Dwyer and Ms Ellis do not receive, or are eligible for, any ongoing financial or other benefit (such as travel) from the Commonwealth.
The Review will report by 31 December 2021.
More information on the Review including the terms of reference can be found at: www.finance.gov.au/publications/reviews/PBRAct2017andIPEAAct2017