Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment Act 2023 (71 of 2023)

Schedule 1   Main amendments

Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984

1   After section 2

Insert:

2A Objects

The objects of this Act are the following:

(a) to establish a framework for employing people to assist parliamentarians and office-holders that supports a safe, respectful and accountable workplace;

(b) to set out certain rights and obligations of employees;

(c) to set out certain other powers, functions and responsibilities in relation to employment under this Act.

2B Simplified outline of this Act

This Act enables parliamentarians to employ people on behalf of the Commonwealth and deals with certain terms and conditions of employment. All parliamentarians can employ electorate employees. Parliamentarians who occupy certain positions and former Prime Ministers can also employ personal employees.

There are employment principles that set out expectations for the workplace provided to people employed under this Act.