Patrick Gorman (Perth, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

Today the government introduces the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Machinery of Government Change) Bill 2025.

The bill will delay the transfer of the administration of certain parliamentary resources from the Department of Finance to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) by 12 months, from 1 July 2025 to 1 July 2026.

The bill will amend the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Act 2024.

Extending the current framework for the administration and provision of parliamentary resources beyond this financial year will minimise the degree of change and disruption following the 2025 election, where there will be heightened activity and need for advice and support to both ceasing and commencing parliamentarians and their staff.

It will also allow time for the government's substantial Commonwealth parliamentary workplace reforms to mature. This includes the establishment of the statutory Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS), the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC) and legislative amendments to the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

A transfer date of 1 July 2026 will still allow sufficient time for IPEA to settle its administration of the transferred resources prior to the next independent statutory review of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, scheduled to occur in late 2027.

IPEA will retain its current functions relating to the provision of travel resources to current and former senators and members under the PBR Act and other legislation. This includes the administration of those resources, including processing claims, paying or providing resources, and providing personal and general advice. IPEA's transparency and accountability functions include reporting and auditing resources and giving rulings relating to the public resources IPEA administers under the PBR Act.

Parliamentarians and their staff have access to a range of resources, which are provided by multiple entities including the parliamentary departments and portfolio departments, as well as the Department of Finance and IPEA, under the PBR Act and other mechanisms.

I commend this bill.

Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with the resolution agreed to earlier, the debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for a later hour.

Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Point of order.

Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister was on her feet first.

Adam Bandt (Melbourne, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've sought a point of order twice.

Ross Vasta (Bonner, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After the minister has finished I will give you the call.