Senator the Hon Don Farrell

The Government has tabled the Review report for the statutory independent review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017.

The Government supports all the recommendations in principle and will work with relevant entities on implementation, including the Remuneration Tribunal, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, Presiding Officers, and the Department of Finance.

The Review considered whether each Act was meeting its objectives of providing appropriate levels of support and improving the accountability and transparency of parliamentary business resources.

The Review found that the legislative framework is broadly meeting its objectives, but that there are areas for improvement, including reporting and certification processes, improving service delivery and training, and supporting a modern, diverse parliament.

Several of the recommendations interact with the Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. Implementation of the recommendations will be considered in the context of other work relevant to Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces to ensure overarching alignment.

This Review expands on the important work already underway by the Government, to ensure a safe, respectful and professional workplace within Parliament House.

I thank the independent reviewers, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer and the Hon Kate Ellis, as well as the Review secretariat, for conducting and supporting the Review.

A copy of the Review is available on the Department of Finance’s website: Independent Review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017.