Today I am pleased to announce commencement of the Independent Review of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Support System (the Review).
The Review will ensure the systems and frameworks governing Members and Senators, including their offices, resources, and staff, remain fit-for-purpose in a modern, diverse and evolving parliament.
It will also examine the appropriateness and suitability of safety and security arrangements for parliamentary offices in a changing democratic landscape.
This Review includes and consolidates upcoming mandatory statutory reviews from the following Acts to ensure alignment with the non-fixed electoral cycle: the Parliamentary Workplace Support Services Act 2023, the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) and the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and will have regard to the recommendations made by previous reviews.
Two independent reviewers, Mr Mathew Jose and Ms Rachael Thompson, have been appointed to conduct the Review, including consultation across the parliament on Terms of Reference.
Both reviewers have been specifically selected for their experience as former staff to parliamentarians and ministers, bringing significant expertise working across the various systems and frameworks governing our democracy.
As Chief of Staff to the former Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, and a Senior Adviser to Leaders and Ministers in both Government and Opposition, Mr Jose is one of the most well-respected specialists on governance, integrity, and responsible government.
As Senior Adviser and Chief of Staff to former Senator Simon Birmingham, and a long-serving staff member in both Government and Opposition, Ms Thompson has worked across both domestic and international portfolios including Special Minister of State, and was a leading voice on improving the experience of parliamentary staff, and the Australian Public Service.
I look forward to working with the reviewers to improve the systems underpinning our strong parliamentary democracy.
