Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 Review

Introduction

The framework under the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017(PBR Act) and the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 (IPEA Act) represented the most significant reform to parliamentarians' work expenses in 25 years. This framework was created in response to recommendations made in the report of the review led by Mr John Conde AO and Mr David Tune AO PSM to provide options for the creation of an independent parliamentary entitlements system.

Review

In September 2021, the then-Finance Minister, Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham, announced  the independent review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act) and legislative instruments, and Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 (IPEA Act) and the legislative rules (together, the ‘PBR Framework’). Section 56 of the PBR Act requires an independent review of its operation every three years. Section 62 of the IPEA Act requires an independent review of its operation as soon as practicable after three years.

Minister Birmingham appointed the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer and the Hon Kate Ellis, to undertake the review in accordance with the Terms of Reference. Ms O'Dwyer and Ms Ellis are former Ministers of the Commonwealth and both were members of Parliament prior to and during the operation of the PBR Act and IPEA Act.

Final Report and Government Response

The independent review into the operation of the PBR Framework is complete. The report found that the legislative framework is broadly meeting its objectives. It also identified areas for improvement and made 30 recommendations, including reporting and certification processes, improving service delivery and training, and supporting a modern, diverse parliament.

The report was tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday, 2 August 2022. The Government supported all the recommendations in principle. Both the report and the Government’s response can viewed below.

• Independent Review on the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017
• Government response

Submissions

The Reviewers gathered perspectives from interested parties, including current and former parliamentarians, Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 staff and relevant agencies, on the operation of the PBR Framework. A Discussion Paper (PDF) provided information regarding the operation of the PBR Framework and a number of potential issues to help inform discussions and engagement with the Review.

Written submissions to the Review closed on 29 November 2021. 13 submissions were received. Those submissions not subject to confidentiality have been published below.

Authors' personal information has been redacted (including phone numbers, postal and email addresses and signatures). Where possible, submissions have been published in .doc and .pdf format to comply with accessibility standards.

Please note the views or opinions expressed in submissions are personal to their authors and do not represent the views of the Reviewers. The submissions published below may contain errors.

Related content

Independent Parliamentary Expenses System Review Report 2016

• Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 
• Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017 
• Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017