Finance and Public Administration References Committee

Fatima Payman

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 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:

(i) the appropriateness of amending those sections to remove, place conditions on or insert guidelines to govern 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

(ii) any other related matters.

Katy Gallagher

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher

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 that the Special Minister of State is, as always, available to engage with anyone who would like to engage on this matter.

Paul Scarr

I seek to make a short statement.

Sue Lines

Leave is granted for one minute.

Paul Scarr

The coalition believes that there should be a fair, balanced and transparent system in relation to staffing allocations. A healthy democracy requires a strong parliament that is adequately resourced to review and scrutinise government legislation. The Prime Minister should not hold discretionary powers to arbitrarily cut staffing allocations from the crossbench and the opposition to avoid accountability and legitimate political scrutiny. It is appropriate that changes be made to the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984, the MOP(S) Act, to create clear guidelines on staffing allocations and uphold the democratic principles of the Australian parliament.

Sue Lines

The question is that business of the Senate No.1, standing in the name of Senator Payman, be agreed to.