This bill became law on May 30th, 2024.
Government & democracy
From 1 July 2025, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses AuthorityThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. becomes the main administrator for most parliamentary resources, including advice, claims, payments and recovery, while some resources stay with other agencies.
A 2021 review found parliamentary resources were split across agencies, which created confusion and inefficient service delivery for members and staff. The bill shifts most administration to IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. and clarifies related rules to streamline advice, claims, payments and recoveries.
The parliamentary expenses system had already been reshaped in 2017 and 2018 through the Parliamentary Business Resources frameworkThe newer system of rules and administration for MPs' work expenses that this bill is meant to tidy up and strengthen. and the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses AuthorityThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work., but a late 2021 independent review found that responsibilities were still split across agencies in ways that confused members and staff and made service delivery inefficient. The 2024 bill responded by shifting most day-to-day administration to IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. and tidying related rules for former members, former prime ministers, estates and territory senators. Different parts commenced at different times: core formal provisions began on Royal Assent, Schedules 2 and 3 began the next day, and the main IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. administration transfer in Schedule 1 began on 1 July 2025.
The main criticism was that the bill left too much discretion over former prime ministers' post-office perks with the Prime Minister instead of putting those decisions in the hands of the independent Remuneration TribunalThe independent body that sets certain pay and allowance decisions, including the allowance for the estate of a member who dies in office.. Broader criticism was limited: the Greens raised that governance concern, while the Coalition still supported the bill after amendments and undertakings but said some changes needed more consultation and time to implement properly.
Patrick Gorman MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 30 May 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
64 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
From 1 July 2025, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses AuthorityThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. becomes the main administrator for most parliamentary resources, including advice, claims, payments and recovery, while some resources stay with other agencies.
Former members can now get a ruling on whether their past use of parliamentary resources was allowed, which can still affect whether they owe money after leaving Parliament.
If a federal member dies in office, their estate can now receive an allowance set by the Remuneration TribunalThe independent body that sets certain pay and allowance decisions, including the allowance for the estate of a member who dies in office. to recognise that normal leaving-Parliament allowances would not be paid.
Former prime ministers’ support can now cover resources, allowances and expenses for them, their spouse or dependent child, and staff employed by a former prime minister.
Retiring territory senators keep being paid until the day before polling day if the Senate is not dissolved, but in a double dissolutionA rare election event in which both houses are dissolved, and the bill uses it as the cutoff point for some senators' pay rules. their pay still stops on the dissolution day.
IPEA would become the key administrator and point of contact for advice and support under the PBR Act framework, including in relation to members’ obligations. Consolidating the majority of PBR Act resources within IPEA would be more intuitive to members and their staff, provide clarity and enhance client experience.Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
Item 43 would implement this recommendation by inserting new subsection 37(9) in the PBR Act to provide that section 37 applies after a person ceases to be a member. Such a ruling would relate to conduct engaged in while the person was a member as if a reference to a member in section 37 included a reference to a former member. This would have the effect of extending IPEA’s authority to make a ruling under the PBR Act, whether on application by a former member or at IPEA’s own initiative, in relation to conduct engaged in while the person was a member (see also Item 56 which amends subsection 57(2), PBR Act).Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
(2) The estate of a person who dies while the person is a member is to be paid any allowance determined from time to time, under section 46A, by the Remuneration Tribunal in recognition that allowances are not payable to such persons under subsection (1) of this section.Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) as-passed bill text
(1) The Prime Minister may, by writing, determine that the Commonwealth must provide specified goods, services, premises, equipment or facilities, or pay specified allowances or expenses:Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) as-passed bill text
Items 51 to 54 would make amendments to section 49 of the PBR Act to rectify an unintended anomaly which was introduced with the PBR Act in relation to the cessation of Territory Senators’ remuneration. Specifically, the amendments would extend the payment of remuneration to a Territory Senator until the end of the day before polling day where the Senate was not dissolved and the Territory Senator is not a candidate at the election. This would align the payment of Territory Senators’ remuneration in these circumstances with their term of service, as provided under section 42 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. The amendments would also ensure that non-contesting Territory Senators, other than at a double dissolution, would continue to be provided public resources (such as work expenses, an electorate office, travel expenses etc.) and resources under Part 5 of the PBR Act until the day before polling day, as provided by section 52 of the PBR Act.Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) explanatory memorandum
Context
The parliamentary expenses system had already been reshaped in 2017 and 2018 through the Parliamentary Business Resources frameworkThe newer system of rules and administration for MPs' work expenses that this bill is meant to tidy up and strengthen. and the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses AuthorityThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work., but a late 2021 independent review found that responsibilities were still split across agencies in ways that confused members and staff and made service delivery inefficient. The 2024 bill responded by shifting most day-to-day administration to IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. and tidying related rules for former members, former prime ministers, estates and territory senators. Different parts commenced at different times: core formal provisions began on Royal Assent, Schedules 2 and 3 began the next day, and the main IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. administration transfer in Schedule 1 began on 1 July 2025.
Parliament creates the parliamentary business resources frameworkThe newer system of rules and administration for MPs' work expenses that this bill is meant to tidy up and strengthen. and IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work.
These reforms set up the modern rules for members’ work expenses and an independent authority with advice, audit and ruling functions, but administration still remained divided.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Independent review finds the system is split across agencies
The review identified fragmented administration and recommended changes to join up advice, claims, payments and related functions more cleanly.
Explanatory memorandum ↗Government introduces the bill to implement the review
The second reading speech said the bill would simplify service delivery by moving administration toward IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. and clarifying provisions that had caused difficulties over time.
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed to the same text, clearing the way for the administrative transfer and related rule changes to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal Assent turns the bill into an Act
The Governor-General’s assent completed the legislation so its staged changes could commence under the Act.
Parliamentary timeline ↗IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. becomes the main administrator for most parliamentary resources
From this date IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. takes over most advice, claims, payments and recovery work, while some resources remain with other agencies.
User-supplied bill summary ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill left too much discretion over former prime ministers' post-office perks with the Prime Minister instead of putting those decisions in the hands of the independent Remuneration TribunalThe independent body that sets certain pay and allowance decisions, including the allowance for the estate of a member who dies in office.. Broader criticism was limited: the Greens raised that governance concern, while the Coalition still supported the bill after amendments and undertakings but said some changes needed more consultation and time to implement properly.
No party represented in the debate opposed the bill after amendments and undertakings.
Prime ministerial control over former PM perks
Critics argued the bill's approach to former prime ministers' support should not leave key decisions with the Prime Minister, because those entitlements should be set independently to avoid political discretion over former leaders' benefits.
Implementation needed more time and consultation
The Coalition said some reforms should be delayed or phased carefully so agencies and parliamentarians had proper time to prepare, consult and bed in the new administrative arrangements without avoidable confusion or disruption.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments grouped by chamber. Where APH reports aggregate counts, the package card summarizes the matching public amendment sheets by source theme.
House
Government amendments would change the bill text to push the machinery of government amendments to 1 July 2025 and adjust related definitions and references to MP resources.
Passed on the voices
The chamber agreed to this amendment package without a counted vote. APH records the agreed count by amendment, while the source documents are grouped into amendment sheets.
Senate
The Senate Journal records Senator Carol Brown’s second-reading amendment as defeated on voices, without a counted division.
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Patrick Gorman supports the bill, saying it will implement key review recommendations and make parliamentary business resources more efficient, seamless and client-focused.
Read in Hansard ↗Scarr says the opposition will support the bill after government amendments and undertakings from the Special Minister of State.
Read in Hansard ↗Brown supports the bill, saying it will modernise and streamline parliamentary business resources while implementing key review recommendations.
Read in Hansard ↗Howarth says the opposition will support the bill after government amendments and undertakings, because it makes needed changes to parliamentary resources and gives more clarity and smoother administration.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 4 contributions · 2 support
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Patrick Gorman on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Patrick Gorman supports the bill, saying it will implement key review recommendations and make parliamentary business resources more efficient, seamless and client-focused. He argues it improves administration, advice and safety protections while updating several technical and payment arrangements.
“In summary, this bill will update, realign and reform the provision of parliamentary business resources to facilitate a more efficient, seamless, client-focused delivery of services to parliamentarians and their staff, as well as addressing key recommendations of the review which require legislative amendments to the PBR Act or the IPEA Act. I commend the bill to the House.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Gorman supports the bill and says it continues the 2017 and 2018 reforms by implementing review recommendations to make parliamentary business resources more efficient, transparent and accountable. He argues the framework must stay fit for purpose and commends the bill to the House.
“This bill will realign and reform the provision of parliamentary business resources to ensure a more efficient and client focused delivery of services to parliamentarians and their staff. I commend the bill to the chamber.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Carol Brown on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
Brown supports the bill, saying it will modernise and streamline parliamentary business resources while implementing key review recommendations. She presents it as an efficiency and service-delivery reform, including moving more administration to IPEAThe independent body that this bill gives responsibility for most parliamentary resource advice, claims, payments and recovery work. and updating payment and allowance rules.
“In summary, this Bill will update, realign and reform the provision of parliamentary business resources to facilitate a more efficient, seamless, client-focused delivery of services to parliamentarians and their staff, as well as addressing key recommendations of the Review which require legislative amendments to the PBR Act or the IPEA Act.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Brown supports the bill and says it will implement review recommendations to realign and reform parliamentary business resources so services to parliamentarians are more efficient and seamless. She explicitly commends the bill to the Senate.
“I thank colleagues for their contribution to the debate. The Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024 will directly impact three recommendations of the Independent Review on the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 and the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 and support the implementation of a further five recommendations. This bill will realign and reform the provision of parliamentary business resources to better facilitate an efficient, seamless, client focused delivery of services to parliamentarians and their stuff. I commend the bill to the Senate.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“I rise to speak on the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024. Following the moving and passage of government amendments, the opposition will be supporting this bill, noting that the Special Minister of State has provided undertakings to the opposition on the intention of several measures in the bill and provided briefings on their operation, which we sincerely thank him for.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Following the moving and passage of government amendments, the opposition will be supporting the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024, noting that the Special Minister of State has provided undertakings to the opposition on the intention of several measures in the bill and providing briefings on their operation.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
1 speaker · 1 support
“I rise to speak very briefly on the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Bill 2024. This is largely a machinery-of-government bill to change some expense reporting responsibilities from Finance to IPEA. IPEA is an independent body, and, therefore, we think those are good, positive changes and we support them.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Consideration in detail: amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal Assent, turning the bill into an Act.
