{"id":"a-1989-19","name":"Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) Act 1989","slug":"legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"act","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"19 of 1989","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":23845,"registerId":"act-a-1989-19-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Legislative Assembly (Members' Staff) Act 1989","content":"Authorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff)\nAct 1989\nA1989-19\nRepublication No 11\nEffective: 26 December 2025\nRepublication date: 26 December 2025\nLast amendment made by A2025-29\n\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAbout this republication\nThe republished law\nThis is a republication of the Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989 (including any\namendment made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 (Editorial changes)) as in force on\n26 December 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting\nthis republished law to 26 December 2025.\nThe legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3\nand 4.\nKinds of republications\nThe Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT\nlegislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):\n• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies\n• unauthorised republications.\nThe status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.\nEditorial changes\nThe Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial\namendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.\nEditorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by\nan Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The\nchanges are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into\nline, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.\nThis republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).\nUncommenced provisions and amendments\nIf a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately\nbefore the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law\nare accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more\ninformation, see the home page for this law on the register.\nModifications\nIf a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the\nsymbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying\nprovision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation\nAct 2001, section 95.\nPenalties\nAt the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an\nindividual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).\n\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\ncontents 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff)\nAct 1989\nContents\nPage\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act 2\n2 Dictionary 2\n3 Notes 2\nPart 2 Staff of office-holders\n4 Determinations by Chief Minister 3\n5 Office-holders may employ staff 3\n6 Terms of employment 3\n7 Superannuation 4\n8 Termination of employment 4\n9 Power to employ staff not affected 5\n\nContents\nPage\ncontents 2 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Staff of members\n10 Members may employ staff 6\n11 Terms of employment 6\n12 Superannuation 7\n13 Termination of employment 7\nPart 5 Consultants and contractors\nDivision 5.1 Office-holders\n16 Determinations by Chief Minister 9\n17 Office-holders may engage consultants and contractors 9\n18 Termination of engagement 10\n19 Power to engage consultants and contractors not affected 11\nDivision 5.2 Members\n20 Members may engage consultants and contractors 12\n21 Termination of engagement 12\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n22 Powers may be exercised by authorised person 15\n23 Regulation-making power 15\nDictionary 16\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes 18\n2 Abbreviation key 18\n3 Legislation history 19\n4 Amendment history 21\n5 Earlier republications 25\n\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 1\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nAustralian Capital Territory\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff)\nAct 1989\nAn Act to provide for the employment of staff and the engagement of consultants\nand contractors by office-holders and members of the Legislative Assembly\n\nPart 1 Preliminary\nSection 1\npage 2 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 1 Preliminary\n1 Name of Act\nThis Act is the Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989.\n2 Dictionary\nThe dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.\nNote 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this\nAct, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined\nelsewhere.\nFor example, the signpost definition ‘classification—see the PSM Act,\ndictionary.’ means that the term ‘classification’ is defined in that Act and\nthe definition applies to this Act.\nNote 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to\nthe entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,\nprovides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears\n(see Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).\n3 Notes\nA note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.\nNote See the Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.\n\nStaff of office-holders Part 2\nSection 4\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 3\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 2 Staff of office-holders\n4 Determinations by Chief Minister\n(1) The Chief Minister may determine that, having regard to the\nparliamentary duties of a member of the Assembly, the member ought\nto be empowered to employ staff under this part.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n5 Office-holders may employ staff\n(1) An office-holder may, on behalf of the Territory, employ, under an\nagreement in writing, a person as a member of the office-holder’s\nstaff.\n(2) However, an office-holder must not employ a person who is a family\nmember of the office-holder.\n(3) The power conferred on an office-holder by subsection (1) is not\nexercisable otherwise than in accordance with arrangements\napproved by the Chief Minister, and the exercise of that power is\nsubject to such conditions as are determined by the Chief Minister.\n(4) An approval or determination under subsection (3) is a disallowable\ninstrument.\n6 Terms of employment\n(1) This section applies if a matter relating to the employment of a part 2\nemployee is not covered by this Act or by the agreement of\nemployment.\n(2) The PSM Act applies in relation to the matter for the term indicated\nin the agreement of employment, as if the employee were employed\nunder the PSM Act, section 110 (Fixed term temporary employment).\n\nPart 2 Staff of office-holders\nSection 7\npage 4 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(3) The Chief Minister may determine that the variable terms of\nemployment of part 2 employees are varied.\n(4) A determination under subsection (3) is a disallowable instrument.\n7 Superannuation\n(1) In this section:\nrelevant person means a person other than—\n(a) a person who, immediately before being employed under this\npart, was an eligible employee within the meaning of the\nSuperannuation Act; or\n(b) a pensioner.\n(2) An agreement under section 5 for the employment by an office-holder\nof a relevant person as a member of the office-holder’s staff may\ncontain provisions determined by the office-holder in relation to the\nprovision to the person of superannuation benefits or benefits in the\nnature of superannuation benefits.\n(3) An office-holder is not empowered to determine provisions for the\npurposes of subsection (2) except in accordance with arrangements\napproved by the Chief Minister.\n8 Termination of employment\n(1) The employment of a person under this part terminates if the\noffice-holder by whom the person was employed dies.\n(2) The employment of a person under this part terminates if—\n(a) in the case of a person employed by an office-holder—\nthe office-holder ceases to hold office; or\n\nStaff of office-holders Part 2\nSection 9\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 5\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(b) in the case of a person employed by a member of the Assembly\nin respect of whom a determination by the Chief Minister under\nsection 4 is in force—the member ceases to be a member of the\nAssembly or the determination is revoked.\n(3) For subsection (2) (b), a member of the Assembly shall be deemed\nnot to have ceased to be such a member while he or she continues to\nbe entitled to an allowance that was payable to him or her as such a\nmember.\n(4) An office-holder may at any time, by notice in writing given to a\nperson employed by the office-holder under this part, terminate the\nperson’s employment.\n(5) A person employed by an office-holder under this part may at any\ntime, by notice in writing given to the office-holder, terminate the\nperson’s employment.\n(6) Where the employment of a person under this part is terminated by\nsubsection (1) or (2), the Chief Minister may direct that the\nemployment of the person shall be deemed—\n(a) not to have been so terminated; and\n(b) to have continued, or to continue, until a specified date;\nand, where the Chief Minister so directs, the employment of the\nperson under this part shall for all purposes be deemed to have\ncontinued, or to continue, until that date.\n(7) A direction under subsection (6) is a disallowable instrument.\n9 Power to employ staff not affected\nNothing in this part affects the power of an office-holder to employ\nstaff under part 3.\n\nPart 3 Staff of members\nSection 10\npage 6 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 3 Staff of members\n10 Members may employ staff\n(1) A member of the Assembly may, on behalf of the Territory, employ,\nunder an agreement in writing, a person as a member of the staff of\nthe member.\n(2) However, a member of the Assembly must not employ a person who\nis a family member of the member.\n(3) The power conferred on a member of the Assembly by subsection (1)\nis not exercisable otherwise than in accordance with arrangements\napproved by the Chief Minister, and the exercise of that power is\nsubject to such conditions as are determined by the Chief Minister.\n(4) An approval or determination under subsection (3) is a disallowable\ninstrument.\n11 Terms of employment\n(1) This section applies if a matter relating to the employment of a part 3\nemployee is not covered by this Act or by the agreement of\nemployment.\n(2) The PSM Act applies in relation to the matter for the term indicated\nin the agreement of employment, as if the employee were employed\nunder the PSM Act, section 110 (Fixed term temporary employment).\n(3) The Chief Minister may determine that the variable terms of\nemployment of part 3 employees are varied.\n(4) A determination under subsection (3) is a disallowable instrument.\n\nStaff of members Part 3\nSection 12\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 7\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n12 Superannuation\n(1) In this section:\nrelevant person means a person other than—\n(a) a person who, immediately before being employed under this\npart, was an eligible employee within the meaning of the\nSuperannuation Act; or\n(b) a pensioner.\n(2) An agreement under section 10 for the employment by a member of\nthe Assembly of a relevant person as a member of the staff of the\nmember may contain provisions determined by the member in\nrelation to the provision to the person of superannuation benefits or\nbenefits in the nature of superannuation benefits.\n(3) A member of the Assembly is not empowered to determine provisions\nfor the purposes of subsection (2) except in accordance with\narrangements approved by the Chief Minister.\n13 Termination of employment\n(1) The employment of a person under this part terminates if the member\nof the Assembly by whom the person was employed—\n(a) dies; or\n(b) ceases to be a member of the Assembly.\n(2) For subsection (1) (b) a member of the Assembly shall be deemed not\nto have ceased to be such a member while he or she continues to be\nentitled to an allowance that was payable to him or her as such a\nmember.\n(3) A member of the Assembly may at any time, by notice in writing\ngiven to a person employed by the member under this part, terminate\nthe person’s employment.\n\nPart 3 Staff of members\nSection 13\npage 8 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(4) A person employed by a member of the Assembly under this part may\nat any time, by notice in writing given to the member, terminate the\nperson’s employment.\n(5) Where the employment of a person under this part is terminated by\nsubsection (1), the Chief Minister may direct that the employment of\nthe person shall be deemed—\n(a) not to have been so terminated; and\n(b) to have continued, or to continue, until a specified date;\nand, where the Chief Minister so directs, the employment of the\nperson under this part shall for all purposes be deemed to have\ncontinued, or to continue, until that date.\n(6) A direction under subsection (5) is a disallowable instrument.\n\nConsultants and contractors Part 5\nOffice-holders Division 5.1\nSection 16\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 9\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 5 Consultants and contractors\nDivision 5.1 Office-holders\n16 Determinations by Chief Minister\n(1) The Chief Minister may determine that, having regard to the\nparliamentary duties of a member of the Assembly, the member ought\nto be empowered to engage a consultant or contractor, or both, under\nthis division.\n(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.\n17 Office-holders may engage consultants and contractors\n(1) An office-holder may, on behalf of the Territory, engage, under an\nagreement in writing, a consultant or contractor for the provision of\nservices necessarily incidental to the performance of his or her\nministerial or parliamentary duties.\n(2) However, an office-holder must not engage a consultant or contractor\nwho—\n(a) if the consultant or contractor is an individual—is a family\nmember of the office-holder; or\n(b) if the consultant or contractor is a corporation—has a director or\nother officer who is a family member of the office-holder.\n(3) An agreement under subsection (1) shall be taken to be a contract for\nservices.\n(4) The power conferred on an office-holder by subsection (1) is not\nexercisable otherwise than in accordance with arrangements\napproved by the Chief Minister, and the exercise of that power is\nsubject to such conditions as are determined by the Chief Minister.\n(5) An approval or determination under subsection (4) is a disallowable\ninstrument.\n\nPart 5 Consultants and contractors\nDivision 5.1 Office-holders\nSection 18\npage 10 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n18 Termination of engagement\n(1) The engagement of a consultant or contractor under this division\nterminates if the office-holder by whom the consultant or contractor\nwas engaged dies.\n(2) The engagement of a consultant or contractor under this division\nterminates if—\n(a) in the case of a consultant or contractor engaged by an\noffice-holder—the office-holder ceases to hold office; or\n(b) in the case of a consultant or contractor engaged by a member\nof the Assembly in respect of whom a determination by the\nChief Minister under section 16 is in force—the member ceases\nto be a member of the Assembly or the determination is revoked.\n(3) For subsection (2) (b), a member of the Assembly shall be deemed\nnot to have ceased to be such a member while he or she continues to\nbe entitled to an allowance that was payable to him or her as such a\nmember.\n(4) An office-holder may at any time, by notice in writing given to a\nconsultant or contractor engaged by the office-holder under this\ndivision, terminate the engagement of the consultant or contractor.\n(5) A consultant or contractor engaged by an office-holder under this\ndivision may at any time, by notice in writing given to the\noffice-holder, terminate the engagement.\n(6) The engagement of a consultant or contractor that is not terminated—\n(a) by subsection (1) or (2); or\n(b) by the office-holder under subsection (4); or\n(c) by the consultant or contractor under subsection (5);\nterminates at the expiration of 3 years, or such shorter period (if any)\nas is specified in the relevant agreement as the term of the\nengagement.\n\nConsultants and contractors Part 5\nOffice-holders Division 5.1\nSection 19\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 11\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(7) Where the engagement of a consultant or contractor under this\ndivision is terminated by subsection (1) or (2), the Chief Minister may\ndirect that the engagement of the consultant or contractor shall be\ndeemed—\n(a) not to have been so terminated; and\n(b) to have continued, or to continue, until a specified date, being a\ndate not later than the date on which the engagement would have\nterminated by the operation of subsection (6);\nand, where the Chief Minister so directs, the engagement of the\nconsultant or contractor under this division shall, subject to\nsubsection (8), be deemed to have continued, or to continue, until that\ndate.\n(8) A direction under subsection (7) is a disallowable instrument.\n(9) Where the engagement of a consultant or contractor is deemed to have\ncontinued or to continue under subsection (7)—\n(a) the Chief Minister may at any time, by notice in writing given\nto the consultant or contractor, terminate the engagement; and\n(b) the consultant or contractor may at any time, by notice in writing\ngiven to the Chief Minister, terminate the engagement.\n19 Power to engage consultants and contractors not\naffected\nNothing in this division affects the power of an office-holder to\nengage a consultant or contractor under division 5.2.\n\nPart 5 Consultants and contractors\nDivision 5.2 Members\nSection 20\npage 12 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDivision 5.2 Members\n20 Members may engage consultants and contractors\n(1) A member of the Assembly may, on behalf of the Territory, engage,\nunder an agreement in writing, a consultant or contractor for the\nprovision of services necessarily incidental to the performance of his\nor her parliamentary duties.\n(2) However, a member of the Assembly must not engage a consultant or\ncontractor who—\n(a) if the consultant or contractor is an individual—is a family\nmember of the member; or\n(b) if the consultant or contractor is a corporation—has a director or\nother officer who is a family member of the member.\n(3) An agreement under subsection (1) shall be taken to be a contract for\nservices.\n(4) The power conferred on a member of the Assembly by subsection (1)\nis not exercisable otherwise than in accordance with arrangements\napproved by the Chief Minister, and the exercise of that power is\nsubject to such conditions as are determined by the Chief Minister.\n(5) An approval or determination under subsection (4) is a disallowable\ninstrument.\n21 Termination of engagement\n(1) The engagement of a consultant or contractor under this division\nterminates if the member of the Assembly by whom the consultant or\ncontractor was engaged—\n(a) dies; or\n(b) ceases to be a member of the Assembly.\n\nConsultants and contractors Part 5\nMembers Division 5.2\nSection 21\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 13\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(2) For subsection (1) (b), a member of the Assembly shall be deemed\nnot to have ceased to be such a member while he or she continues to\nbe entitled to an allowance that was payable to him or her as such a\nmember.\n(3) A member of the Assembly may at any time, by notice in writing\ngiven to a consultant or contractor engaged by the member under this\ndivision, terminate the engagement of the consultant or contractor.\n(4) A consultant or contractor engaged by a member of the Assembly\nunder this division may at any time, by notice in writing given to the\nmember, terminate the engagement.\n(5) The engagement of a consultant or contractor that is not terminated—\n(a) by subsection (1); or\n(b) by the member of the Assembly under subsection (3); or\n(c) by the consultant or contractor under subsection (4);\nterminates at the expiration of 3 years, or such shorter period (if any)\nas is specified in the relevant agreement as the term of the\nengagement.\n(6) Where the engagement of a consultant or contractor under this\ndivision is terminated by subsection (1), the Chief Minister may direct\nthat the engagement of the consultant or contractor shall be deemed—\n(a) not to have been so terminated; and\n(b) to have continued, or to continue, until a specified date, being a\ndate not later than the date on which the engagement would have\nterminated by the operation of subsection (5);\nand, where the Chief Minister so directs, the engagement of the\nconsultant or contractor under this division shall, subject to\nsubsection (8), be deemed to have continued, or to continue, until that\ndate.\n(7) A direction under subsection (6) is a disallowable instrument.\n\nPart 5 Consultants and contractors\nDivision 5.2 Members\nSection 21\npage 14 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n(8) Where the engagement of a consultant or contractor is deemed to have\ncontinued or to continue under subsection (6)—\n(a) the Chief Minister may at any time, by notice in writing given\nto the consultant or contractor, terminate the engagement; and\n(b) the consultant or contractor may at any time, by notice in writing\ngiven to the Chief Minister, terminate the engagement.\n\nMiscellaneous Part 6\nSection 22\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 15\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nPart 6 Miscellaneous\n22 Powers may be exercised by authorised person\nAn office-holder or member of the Assembly may, in writing,\nauthorise another person to exercise, on his or her behalf, a power\nconferred on the office-holder or member by part 2, 3 or 5, and a\nperson so authorised may exercise the power accordingly.\n23 Regulation-making power\nThe Executive may make regulations for this Act.\n\nDictionary\npage 16 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\n(see s 2)\nNote 1 The Legislation Act contains definitions and other provisions relevant to\nthis Act.\nNote 2 For example, the Legislation Act, dict, pt 1 defines the following terms:\n• Chief Minister\n• director-general (see s 163)\n• disallowable instrument\n• domestic partner (see s 169 (1))\n• individual\n• Minister\n• Speaker.\nAssembly means the Legislative Assembly.\nclassification—see the PSM Act, dictionary.\ncommissioner—see the PSM Act, dictionary.\nfamily member, of a person, means—\n(a) a domestic partner of the person; or\n(b) a parent or step-parent of the person; or\n(c) a parent or step-parent of the person’s domestic partner; or\n(d) a child or step-child of the person; or\n(e) a child or step-child of the person’s domestic partner; or\n(f) a brother, sister, half-brother or half-sister of the person; or\n(g) a grandparent of the person; or\n(h) an uncle, aunt or cousin of the person.\nhead of service—see the PSM Act, dictionary.\n\nDictionary\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 17\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\noffice-holder means—\n(a) a Minister; or\n(b) the Speaker of the Assembly; or\n(c) a person in respect of whom a determination by the Chief\nMinister under section 4 or 16 is in force.\nofficer—see the PSM Act, dictionary.\npart 2 employee means a person employed under part 2.\npart 3 employee means a person employed under part 3.\npensioner means—\n(a) a person to whom an invalidity pension within the meaning of\nthe Superannuation Act is payable or would, but for the pension\nhaving been suspended, be payable; or\n(b) a person to whom a pension under the Superannuation Act 1922\n(Cwlth) is payable or would, but for the pension having been\nsuspended, be payable, being a person who was retired on the\nground of invalidity or of physical or mental incapacity to\nperform the person’s duties.\nPSM Act means the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and the\nmanagement standards made under that Act.\nSuperannuation Act means the Superannuation Act 1976 (Cwlth).\nvariable term of employment means a term of employment of a part\n2 or part 3 employee relating to any matter except a matter covered\nby section 7 or 12 (Superannuation), or 8 or 13 (Termination of\nemployment).\n\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\npage 18 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nEndnotes\n1 About the endnotes\nAmending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the\namendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law\nbut are set out in the endnotes.\nNot all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are\nannotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be\nobtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.\nUncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details\nof these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are\nunderlined in the legislation history and amendment history.\nIf all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered\nprovisions gives details of previous and current numbering.\nThe endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.\n2 Abbreviation key\nA = Act NI = Notifiable instrument\nAF = Approved form o = order\nam = amended om = omitted/repealed\namdt = amendment ord = ordinance\nAR = Assembly resolution orig = original\nch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph\nCN = Commencement notice pres = present\ndef = definition prev = previous\nDI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously\ndict = dictionary pt = part\ndisallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule\nAssembly reloc = relocated\ndiv = division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No\nGaz = gazette RI = reissue\nhdg = heading s = section/subsection\nIA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule\nins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision\nLA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law\nLR = legislation register sub = substituted\nLRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced\nmod = modified/modification or to be expired\n\nEndnotes\nLegislation history 3\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 19\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n3 Legislation history\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989 A1989-19\nnotified 14 November 1989 (Gaz 1989 No S35)\ncommenced 14 November 1989 (s 2)\nas amended by\nPublic Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional\nProvisions) Act 1994 A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nnotified 30 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No S121)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 20 June 1994 (s 2 (1))\nsch 1 pt 53 commenced 1 July 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No S 142)\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) (Amendment) Act 1997\nA1997-6\nnotified 22 April 1997 (Gaz 1997 No S92)\ncommenced 22 April 1997 (s 2)\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) (Amendment) Act 1999\nA1999-15\nnotified 14 April 1999 (Gaz 1997 No S16)\ncommenced 14 April 1999 (s 2)\nPublic Sector Legislation Amendment Act 1999 A1999-70 s 5\nnotified 3 December 1999 (Gaz 1999 No S62)\ns 5 commenced 5 December 1999 (s 2 and Cwlth Gaz 1999 No S584)\nPublic Sector Legislation Amendment Act 2000 A2000-77 s 5\nnotified 21 December 2000 (Gaz 2000 No S69)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 21 December 2000 (IA s 10B)\ns 5 remainder commenced 31 December 2000 (s 2)\nLegislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 A2001-44 pt 222\nnotified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s 10B)\namdts 1.2632, 1.2633, 1.2636, 1.2637 commence immediately after\nthe commencement of A2001-57 (amdts 1.2632, 1.2633, 1.2636,\n1.2637)\npt 222 remainder commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see\nGaz 2001 No S65)\n\nEndnotes\n3 Legislation history\npage 20 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Amendment Act 2001\nA2001-57 pt 2\nnotified 10 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S66)\ns 1, s 2 commenced 10 September 2001 (IA s 10B)\npt 2 commenced 13 September 2001 (Gaz 2001 No S69)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2007 (No 2) A2007-16 sch 3 pt 3.23\nnotified LR 20 June 2007\ns 1, s 2 taken to have commenced 12 April 2007 (LA s 75 (2))\nsch 3 pt 3.23 commenced 11 July 2007 (s 2 (1))\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Amendment Act 2008\nA2008-38\nnotified LR 3 September 2008\ns 1, s 2 commenced 3 September 2008 (LA s 75 (1))\ns 3, s 5, ss 7-9 commenced 30 October 2008 (s 2 (1))\nremainder commenced 5 November 2008 (s 2 (2))\nAdministrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments)\nAct 2011 A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.92\nnotified LR 30 June 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.92 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2 (1))\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 2) A2011-28 sch 3 pt 3.23\nnotified LR 31 August 2011\ns 1, s 2 commenced 31 August 2011 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 3 pt 3.23 commenced 21 September 2011 (s 2 (1))\nPublic Sector Management Amendment Act 2016 A2016-52 sch 1\npt 1.46\nnotified LR 25 August 2016\ns 1, s 2 commenced 25 August 2016 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 1 pt 1.46 commenced 1 September 2016 (s 2)\nStatute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 4 pt 4.113\nnotified LR 6 November 2025\ns 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))\nsch 4 pt 4.113 commenced 26 December 2025 (s 2 (7))\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 21\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n4 Amendment history\nTitle\ntitle sub A1999-15\nName of Act\ns 1 sub A2007-16 amdt 3.106\nDictionary\ns 2 om R4 LA\nins A2007-16 amdt 3.108\nam A2011-22 amdt 1.281\nNotes\ns 3 defs reloc to dict A2007-16 amdt 3.107\nsub A2007-16 amdt 3.108\ndef administrative unit om A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nDeterminations by Chief Minister\ns 4 am A2001-44 amdt 1.2629, amdt 1.2630; A2011-28\namdt 3.156; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\nOffice–holders may employ staff\ns 5 am A1997-6; A2001-44 amdt 1.2631; A2008-38 s 4; ss renum\nR7 LA; A2011-28 amdt 3.156; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\nTerms of employment\ns 6 am A1994-38\nsub A2001-57 s 5\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2632, amdt 1.2633; A2011-28\namdt 3.156; A2016-52 amdt 1.123; ss renum R10 LA;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.113\nTermination of employment\ns 8 am A2001-44 amdt 1.2634; A2011-28 amdt 3.149; A2025-29\namdt 4.113\nPower to employ staff not affected\ns 9 am A1999-15\nMembers may employ staff\ns 10 am A1997-6; A2001-44 amdt 1.2635; A2008-38 s 5; ss renum\nR6 LA; A2011-28 amdt 3.156; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\nTerms of employment\ns 11 am A1994-38; A1997-6\nsub A2001-57 s 6\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2636, amdt 1.2637; A2011-28\namdt 3.156; A2016-52 amdt 1.124; ss renum R10 LA;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.113\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 22 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nTermination of employment\ns 13 am A2001-44 amdt 1.2638; A2011-28 amdt 3.150; A2025-29\namdt 4.113\nRights of officers\ns 13B ins A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nom A2001-57 s 8\nApplication of Merit Protection (Australian Government Employees) Act\ns 13BA ins A1999-70 s 5\nam A2000-77 s 5\nom A2001-57 s 8\nDisallowable instruments\ns 13D ins A1997-6\nsub A1999-15\nom A2001-44 amdt 1.2647\nPublic servants employed by members\npt 4 hdg (prev pt 3A hdg) ins A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nsub A2001-57 s 7\nom A2016-52 amdt 1.125\nRights of officers\ns 14 (prev s 13A) ins A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nsub A2001-57 s 8\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2011-22 amdt 1.282; A2011-28 amdt 3.151, amdt 3.156\nom A2016-52 amdt 1.125\nRights of certain employees under PSM Act\ns 15 hdg (prev s 13C hdg) ins A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nsub A2001-57 s 9\ns 15 (prev s 13C) ins A1994-38 sch 1 pt 53\nam A2001-57 s 9\nrenum R4 LA\nom A2016-52 amdt 1.125\nConsultants and contractors\npt 5 hdg (prev pt 3B hdg) ins A1999-15\nrenum R4 LA\nOffice-holders\ndiv 5.1 hdg (prev pt 3B div 1 hdg) renum R4 LA\nDeterminations by Chief Minister\ns 16 (prev s 13CA) ins A1999-15\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2639, amdt 1.2640\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2011-28 amdt 3.152; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\n\nEndnotes\nAmendment history 4\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 23\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nOffice-holders may engage consultants and contractors\ns 17 (prev s 13CB) ins A1999-15\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2641\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2008-38 s 6; ss renum R7 LA; A2011-28 amdt 3.156;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.113\nTermination of engagement\ns 18 (prev s 13CC) ins A1999-15\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2642; R4 LA (see A2001-44\namdt 1.2643)\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2011-28 amdt 3.152; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\nPower to engage consultants and contractors not affected\ns 19 (prev s 13CD) ins A1999-15\nrenum R4 LA\nMembers\ndiv 5.2 hdg (prev pt 3B div 2 hdg) renum R4 LA\nMembers may engage consultants and contractors\ns 20 (prev s 13CE) ins A1999-15\nam A2001-44 amdt 1.2644, amdt 1.2645; R4 LA (see\nA2001-44 amdt 1.2646)\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2008-38 s 7; ss renum R6 LA; A2011-28 amdt 3.156;\nA2025-29 amdt 4.113\nTermination of engagement\ns 21 (prev s 13CF) ins A1999-15\nam R4 LA (see A2001-44 amdt 1.2646)\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2011-28 amdt 3.152; A2025-29 amdt 4.113\nMiscellaneous\npt 6 hdg (prev pt 4 hdg) renum R4 LA\nPowers may be exercised by authorised person\ns 22 (prev s 14) am A1999-15\nrenum R4 LA\nRegulation-making power\ns 23 (prev s 15) sub A2001-44 amdt. 1.2648\nrenum R4 LA\nam A2025-29 amdt 4.113\n\nEndnotes\n4 Amendment history\npage 24 Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\nR11\n26/12/25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\nDictionary\ndict ins A2007-16 amdt 3.109\nam A2008-38 s 8; A2011-28 amdt 3.153, amdt 3.154;\nA2016-52 amdt 1.126\ndef Assembly reloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef classification ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\nam R8 LA (see also A2011-28 amdt 3.155)\ndef commissioner ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\nam R8 LA (see also A2011-28 amdt 3.155)\ndef family member ins A2008-38 s 9\ndef head of service ins A2011-22 amdt 1.283\ndef office-holder am A1999-15 s 5\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef officer ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\nam A2011-28 amdt 3.155\ndef part 2 employee ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef part 3 employee ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef pensioner reloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef PSM Act ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\ndef relevant chief executive ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\nom A2011-22 amdt 1.284\ndef variable term of employment ins A2001-57 s 4\nreloc from s 3 A2007-16 amdt 3.107\n\nEndnotes\nEarlier republications 5\nR11\n26/12/25\nLegislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989\nEffective: 26/12/25\npage 25\nAuthorised by the ACT Parliamentary Counsel—also accessible at www.legislation.act.gov.au\n5 Earlier republications\nSome earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to\nthe publication order.\nSince 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in\nelectronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised\nrepublications have also been published in printed format. These republications are\nmarked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an\nauthorised republication are identical.\nRepublication No Amendments to Republication date\n1 A1989-19 31 August 1991\n2 A1994-38 28 February 1995\n3 A1997-6 31 January 1998\n4 A2001-57 26 October 2001\n5 A2007-16 11 July 2007\n6 A2008-38 30 October 2008\n7 A2008-38 5 November 2008\n8 A2011-22 1 July 2011\n9 A2011-28 21 September 2011\n10 A2016-52 1 September 2016\n© Australian Capital Territory 2025","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1989 Act appears to have been focused primarily on staff employment. The current version has expanded significantly to include consultants and contractors (Part 5, added in 1999), creating a comprehensive framework for all forms of political staffing. Additionally, Part 4 (Public servants employed by members) was inserted in 1994 and then omitted in 2016, showing the scope has fluctuated. The Act has also accumulated extensive cross-referencing to the PSM Act and increased Chief Minister oversight powers over time, moving from simple employment authority to a complex regulatory framework."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act) and Superannuation Act 1976 for definitions and employment conditions","Nested conditional logic for termination scenarios (automatic termination vs. notice termination vs. Chief Minister extension)","Dual structure with parallel provisions for office-holders (Part 2) and members (Part 3), plus consultants/contractors (Part 5), creating repetition with slight variations","15 defined terms in the Dictionary, including signpost definitions pointing to other Acts","Multiple disallowable instruments requiring parliamentary oversight (sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21)","Complex family member definition spanning 8 categories including domestic partners, step-relatives, and cousins","Deemed continuation provisions allowing Chief Minister to override automatic terminations"],"plain_english_summary":"This law sets the rules for how politicians in the ACT Legislative Assembly can hire people to help them do their jobs. It covers two main groups: **office-holders** (like Ministers and the Speaker) and ordinary **members of the Assembly**.\n\n**What it allows:**\n- **Employing staff**: Both office-holders and members can hire employees to work for them, but they need the Chief Minister's approval for the arrangements and must follow conditions set by the Chief Minister.\n- **Hiring consultants and contractors**: They can also bring in outside experts or firms for specific services, again with Chief Minister oversight.\n\n**Key restrictions:**\n- **No nepotism**: They cannot hire family members (including domestic partners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or cousins) as staff or consultants.\n- **Chief Minister control**: The Chief Minister decides which members get these powers, sets the rules for how they're used, and can vary employment terms. Most of these decisions are \"disallowable instruments\" (meaning the Assembly can veto them).\n\n**What happens when jobs end:**\n- Employment or engagements automatically end if the politician dies, leaves office, or (for some members) if the Chief Minister's authorisation is revoked.\n- The Chief Minister can extend employment for a limited time after a politician leaves office to ensure continuity.\n- Either side can resign or terminate with written notice.\n\n**Superannuation and conditions:**\n- For matters not covered by the employment agreement, the Public Sector Management Act applies as if the staff were temporary public servants.\n- Superannuation benefits can be provided, but only according to Chief Minister-approved arrangements.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law ensures that politicians have support staff to serve the public, while preventing corruption through nepotism and maintaining oversight by the Chief Minister. It balances flexibility for members with accountability to the Territory."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operational scope has been altered since first enacted. The amendment history records substantive additions and changes: for example, the 1999 amendment (A1999-15) introduced the separate Part for consultants and contractors (Part 5) and related provisions (see Endnotes: Legislation history and Amendment history entries for A1999-15). The 2001 amendments (A2001-57 and related consequential Acts) added or clarified the application of the Public Sector Management Act (PSM Act) to employment matters (see ss 6(2), 11(2) and amendment history noting A2001-57). The 2008 amendment added the statutory definition and prohibition regarding \"family member\" (Dictionary; see A2008-38 in the amendment history), which changed who may be employed or engaged. Later amendments (notably A2011-22, A2016-52 and A2025-29) made further textual, definitional and cross-reference updates (see Endnotes 3 and 4). Those recorded amendments show the Act now covers both staff and consultant/contractor arrangements with centralised Chief Minister approvals and specific term, superannuation and termination mechanics that were not all present in the original text."},"complexity_factors":["Centralised discretion held by the Chief Minister to determine who may exercise employment/engagement powers and to set arrangements and conditions (see ss 4(1), 16(1), 5(3), 10(3), 17(4), 20(4)).","Multiple disallowable instruments and directions (e.g. ss 4(2), 5(4), 8(7), 18(8), 21(7)) creating administrative and oversight steps.","Cross-references to other statutes that apply where this Act is silent, notably the Public Sector Management Act 1994 for employment matters (ss 6(2), 11(2)) and the Superannuation Act references in the Dictionary and ss 7 and 12.","Provincial termination and \"deemed continuation\" mechanisms that allow the Chief Minister to override automatic termination on death or ceasing office (ss 8(6), 13(5), 18(7), 21(6)), which adds conditional complexity to terminations.","Different but parallel rules for office-holders and members, and separate rules for staff versus consultants/contractors (Parts 2, 3 and 5), requiring careful navigation.","Default contractual time-limit for consultant/contractor engagements (3 years) combined with possible shorter terms in agreements (ss 18(6), 21(5)).","Definitions (e.g. 'family member', 'office-holder', 'relevant person') in the Dictionary that affect who can be employed/engaged and when exceptions apply."],"plain_english_summary":"### What this law does, in plain terms\n\nThis Act sets out who can employ staff and who can engage consultants or contractors for work that supports the parliamentary or ministerial duties of members of the ACT Legislative Assembly and certain office-holders (Ministers and the Speaker) and how that employment or engagement must be arranged.\n\nMechanically:\n\n- Office-holders (Ministers and the Speaker) and members may employ staff or engage consultants/contractors on behalf of the Territory only by a written agreement (staff: ss 5(1), 10(1); consultants/contractors: ss 17(1), 20(1)).\n- Those powers are exercisable only in accordance with arrangements and conditions approved or determined by the Chief Minister (staff: ss 5(3), 10(3); consultants/contractors: ss 17(4), 20(4)). Approvals or determinations are disallowable instruments (see ss 4(2), 5(4), 10(4), 16(2), 17(5), 20(5)).\n- There is an explicit prohibition on employing or engaging family members of the office-holder or member (staff: ss 5(2), 10(2); consultants/contractors: ss 17(2), 20(2); family-member definition in the Dictionary).\n- For staff matters not covered by this Act or the written agreement, the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (PSM Act) applies as if the person were employed under a fixed-term temporary employment provision (ss 6(2), 11(2)). Variable terms of employment may be varied by the Chief Minister (ss 6(3), 11(3)).\n- Superannuation provisions for certain employees may be set in the written agreement but only in accordance with arrangements approved by the Chief Minister (staff: ss 7(2)-(3); members' staff: ss 12(2)-(3)).\n- Engagements of consultants or contractors normally end on the office-holder or member ceasing office or on expiry of the stated term; for consultant/contractor agreements the maximum default term is 3 years unless a shorter term is stated (ss 18(1)-(6), 21(1)-(5)).\n- Where employment or engagement would end because a member or office-holder dies or ceases office, the Chief Minister can direct that the employment/engagement be treated as continuing until a specified date (staff: ss 8(6), 13(5); consultants/contractors: ss 18(7), 21(6)). Those directions are disallowable instruments (ss 8(7), 18(8), 21(7)).\n- Consultant/contractor written agreements are to be treated as contracts for services (ss 17(3), 20(3)).\n- An office-holder or member may authorise another person in writing to exercise these powers on their behalf (s 22). The Executive may make regulations for the Act (s 23).\n\nStated purpose and testing it against practical effects\n\nThe Act’s stated purpose is to provide for employment of staff and engagement of consultants and contractors by office-holders and members (preamble). Taken mechanically, the Act does this by creating a regulated framework with three consistent features: (1) written agreements on behalf of the Territory; (2) central conditioning and approval by the Chief Minister; and (3) statutory limits and administrative controls on who may be engaged (family-member prohibition) and how long engagements last.\n\nCosts, incentives and trade-offs (source-grounded):\n\n- Who pays: Employments and engagements are made on behalf of the Territory, so public funds are the source of payment (ss 5(1), 10(1), 17(1), 20(1)).\n- Who decides: Members and office-holders can offer agreements, but the Chief Minister controls which members/office-holders may exercise those powers and sets arrangements/conditions (ss 4, 16, 5(3), 10(3), 17(4), 20(4)). Many instruments under the Act are disallowable, giving the Assembly oversight (see ss referenced above). This concentrates gatekeeping authority with the Chief Minister and creates an oversight path through disallowable instruments.\n- Incentives for behaviour: The Act enables members and office-holders to use staff and contractors for parliamentary and ministerial duties. The family-member prohibition (ss 5(2), 10(2), 17(2), 20(2) and Dictionary) reduces the statutory ability to hire close relations. The 3-year default limit on contractor engagements (ss 18(6), 21(5)) encourages either shorter-term contracting or periodic renewal/renegotiation.\n- Compliance burden: Written agreements are mandatory (ss 5(1), 10(1), 17(1), 20(1)), Chief Minister-approved arrangements are required (ss 5(3), 10(3), 17(4), 20(4)), and many determinations or directions are disallowable instruments (e.g. ss 4(2), 8(7), 18(8), 21(7)). Those steps create administrative tasks for members, office-holders and the central administration.\n- Bureaucratic discretion and implementation risk: The Chief Minister may determine who may exercise the powers (ss 4(1), 16(1)), vary variable terms of employment (ss 6(3), 11(3)), and direct deemed continuations of employment/engagements (ss 8(6), 13(5), 18(7), 21(6)). Those powers rest on executive discretion and will require administrative processes and record-keeping (and are subject to disallowance).\n- Effects on private choice and markets: Contractors are engaged as contracts for services (ss 17(3), 20(3)), so private firms or sole traders can be suppliers. The requirement for Chief Minister approval of arrangements and the family-member restriction (Dictionary, ss cited above) create participation constraints that could affect who bids for work and how quickly engagements are finalised.\n- Opportunity costs and substitution: The Act allows use of both employees and contractors to support parliamentary duties. The three-year maximum for contractor engagements (default) and application of PSM Act rules to staff matters not covered by this Act (ss 6(2), 11(2)) will influence the choice between hiring staff and engaging outside contractors.\n\nPractical points to note (mechanical, source-grounded):\n\n- Written agreements and Chief Minister-approved arrangements are a recurrent requirement (multiple sections cited).\n- The Chief Minister’s determinations and directions are disallowable instruments (e.g. ss 4(2), 8(7), 18(8), 21(7)), creating a parliamentary oversight mechanism.\n- Superannuation for certain employees is contractually negotiable but only under Chief Minister-approved arrangements (ss 7, 12).\n\nThis summary describes how the Act allocates the legal powers to employ or engage people, who controls approvals, and what statutory limits apply. The Act creates a central approval and oversight role (Chief Minister and disallowable instruments) and imposes written-agreement, non-family and term-limit rules that shape how members and office-holders staff their offices or contract work (see the sections cited throughout)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989","history":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989/history","analysis":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/legislative-assembly-members-staff-act-1989/documents"}}