{"id":"F2026L00002","name":"Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Rules 2025","slug":"parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":443122,"registerId":"F2026L00002-fast-fetch-1775958036955","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-12","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Rules 2025","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n![Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia](image.001.jpeg)\n\n \n\nParliamentary Workplace Support Service Rules 2025\n\nI, Don Farrell, Special Minister of State, make the following rules.\n\nDated 15 December   2025\n\nDon Farrell\n\nSpecial Minister of State\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n1 Name\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Authority\n\n4 Definitions\n\nPart 2—PWSS Advisory Board\n\n5 Purpose of this Part\n\n6 Holding meetings\n\n7 Presiding at meetings\n\n8 Quorum\n\n9 Minutes\n\n10 Form etc. of advice requested by the CEO\n\n11 Other procedural and operational rules\n\nPart 3—PWSS Consultative Committee\n\n12 Purpose of this Part\n\n13 Membership of the PWSS Consultative Committee\n\n14 Appointment of members of the PWSS Consultative Committee\n\n15 Remuneration of independent members\n\n16 Disclosure of interests\n\n17 Period of appointment\n\n18 Resignation\n\n19 Termination of appointment\n\n20 Other terms and conditions\n\n21 Other procedural and operational rules\n\n \n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n \n\n1  Name\n\n  This instrument is the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Rules 2025.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. The whole of this instrument The day after this instrument is registered. 7 January 2026\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.\n\n3  Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023.\n\n4  Definitions\n\nNote: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n(a) CEO;\n\n(b) independent member;\n\n(c) PWSS Advisory Board;\n\n(d) PWSS Consultative Committee.\n\n  In this instrument:\n\nAct means the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023.\n\nPart 2—PWSS Advisory Board\n\n \n\n5  Purpose of this Part\n\n  This Part is made for the purposes of subsection 55(1) of the Act.\n\n6  Holding meetings\n\n (1) The PWSS Advisory Board must hold such meetings as are necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.\n\nNote: Section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contains further information about the ways in which members of the PWSS Advisory Board may participate in meetings.\n\n (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Chair of the PWSS Advisory Board:\n\n (a) may convene a meeting at any time; and\n\n (b) must convene at least one meeting in each half of a calendar year; and\n\n (c) may convene a meeting within 30 days after receiving a written request to do so from the CEO.\n\n (3) If, in a calendar year, the Chair has convened 4 or more meetings that have not been convened at the request of the CEO, the Chair may only convene a further meeting in that year if the Chair considers that the meeting is needed due to exceptional circumstances.\n\n7  Presiding at meetings\n\n (1) The Chair of the PWSS Advisory Board must preside at all meetings at which the Chair is present.\n\n (2) If the Chair of the PWSS Advisory Board is not present at a meeting, the other members of the PWSS Advisory Board present must appoint one of themselves to preside.\n\n8  Quorum\n\n (1) At a meeting of the PWSS Advisory Board, a quorum is constituted by 2 members of the PWSS Advisory Board.\n\n (2) However, if:\n\n (a) a member of the PWSS Advisory Board is required by section 50 of the Act not to be present during the deliberations, or to take part in any decision, of the PWSS Advisory Board with respect to a particular matter; and\n\n (b) when the member of the PWSS Advisory Board leaves the meeting concerned there is no longer a quorum present;\n\nthe remaining members of the PWSS Advisory Board at the meeting constitute a quorum for the purpose of any deliberation or decision at that meeting with respect to that matter.\n\n9  Minutes\n\n  The PWSS Advisory Board must keep minutes of its meetings.\n\n10  Form etc. of advice requested by the CEO\n\n  Advice given to the CEO by the PWSS Advisory Board under paragraph 43(3)(b) of the Act (at the request of the CEO) must be given in the form and manner required by the CEO.\n\n11  Other procedural and operational rules\n\n  The PWSS Advisory Board may, subject to the Act and this Part, do the following:\n\n (a) operate in the way it determines;\n\n (b) regulate proceedings at its meetings as it considers appropriate.\n\nPart 3—PWSS Consultative Committee\n\n \n\n12  Purpose of this Part\n\n  This Part is made for the purposes of subsection 59(2) of the Act.\n\n13  Membership of the PWSS Consultative Committee\n\n  The PWSS Consultative Committee consists of the following members:\n\n (a) 2 independent members, as required by paragraphs 59(1)(a) and (b) of the Act, which are the Chair and one other person;\n\n (b) 4 parliamentarians consisting of:\n\n (i) one parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party in Government; and\n\n (ii) one parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party in Opposition; and\n\n (iii) one parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party that has the highest number of members who are senators or members of the House of Representatives, that is not in Government or in Opposition; and\n\n (iv) one parliamentarian who is not a member of a Parliamentary party;\n\n (c) 4 MOPS employees consisting of:\n\n (i) one MOPS employee who is employed by a parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party in Government; and\n\n (ii) one MOPS employee who is employed by a parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party in Opposition; and\n\n (iii) one MOPS employee who is employed by a parliamentarian who is a member of the Parliamentary party that has the highest number of members who are senators or members of the House of Representatives, that is not in Government or in Opposition; and\n\n (iv) one MOPS employee who is employed by a parliamentarian who is not a member of a Parliamentary party.\n\nNote: See subsections 59(1) and (4) of the Act on membership of the PWSS Consultative Committee and representation among members.\n\n14  Appointment of members of the PWSS Consultative Committee\n\nAppointment by Minister\n\n (1) A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee is to be appointed by the Minister by written instrument.\n\nNote: A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee may be reappointed: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.\n\nMatters relating to the appointment of independent members\n\n (2) The Minister must not appoint under subsection (1) a person as an independent member if:\n\n (a) the person:\n\n (i) is or has been a parliamentarian; or\n\n (ii) is or has been a MOPS employee; or\n\n (iii) is a Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participant; and\n\n (b) the Minister is not satisfied of the matters in subsection (3).\n\n (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the Minister must be satisfied that:\n\n (a) the selection of the person for the appointment is the result of a process that:\n\n (i) was merit‑based; and\n\n (ii) included public advertising of the position; and\n\n (b) the person has skills, knowledge or experience in one or more of the following fields:\n\n (i) parliamentary workplaces;\n\n (ii) human resources, work health and safety or industrial relations;\n\n (iii) public administration or corporate governance.\n\n (4) In appointing under subsection (1) a person as an independent member, the Minister must have regard to the independence of the person from:\n\n (a) parliamentarians; and\n\n (b) MOPS employees; and\n\n (c) registered political parties (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918); and\n\n (d) the PWSS and the PWSS Advisory Board.\n\nMatters relating to the appointment of parliamentarians\n\n (5) The Minister must not appoint under subsection (1) a person as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee if the person is:\n\n (a) a Minister; or\n\n (b) the President of the Senate; or\n\n (c) the Speaker of the House of Representatives; or\n\n (d) the Deputy President and Chair of Committees of the Senate; or\n\n (e) the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.\n\nMatters relating to the appointment of MOPS employees\n\n (6) The Minister must not appoint under subsection (1) a person as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee if:\n\n (a) the person is a MOPS employee; and\n\n (b) the person is:\n\n (i) employed by a parliamentarian appointed under subsection (1) as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee; or\n\n (ii) a member of the Employee Consultative Group (or equivalent) established under the enterprise agreement (within the meaning of the Fair Work Act 2009) applicable to MOPS employees; or\n\n (iii) a member of the Work Health and Safety Committee for MOPS employees (or equivalent).\n\nMatters relating to the appointment of members generally\n\n (7) In appointing under subsection (1) a person as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee, the Minister must have regard to the desirability of ensuring that:\n\n (a) there is representation among members of the PWSS Consultative Committee by the following:\n\n (i) persons who represent the views of the Government;\n\n (ii) persons who represent the views of Parliamentary parties that do not form part of the Government and have at least 5 members who are senators or members of the House of Representatives;\n\n (iii) persons who do not represent the views of the Government or Parliamentary parties to which subparagraph (ii) applies; and\n\n (b) the PWSS Consultative Committee is comprised of members of different genders.\n\n15  Remuneration of independent members\n\n (1) An independent member is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Minister, having regard to the skills, knowledge and experience of the independent member.\n\n (2) An independent member is to be paid the allowances that are determined by the Minister.\n\n (3) The office of an independent member is not a public office for the purposes of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.\n\n16  Disclosure of interests\n\n (1) A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee must give written notice to the Minister of any direct or indirect pecuniary interest that the member has or acquires and that conflicts or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s duties.\n\n (2) A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter being considered or about to be considered by the PWSS Consultative Committee must disclose the nature of the interest to a meeting of the PWSS Consultative Committee.\n\n (3) The disclosure must be made as soon as possible after the relevant facts have come to the member’s knowledge.\n\n (4) The disclosure must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.\n\n (5) Unless the PWSS Consultative Committee otherwise determines, the member:\n\n (a) must not be present during any deliberation by the PWSS Consultative Committee on the matter; and\n\n (b) must not take part in any decision of the PWSS Consultative Committee with respect to the matter.\n\n (6) For the purposes of making a determination under subsection (5), the member:\n\n (a) must not be present during any deliberation of the PWSS Consultative Committee for the purpose of making the determination; and\n\n (b) must not take part in making the determination.\n\n (7) A determination under subsection (5) must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the PWSS Consultative Committee.\n\n17  Period of appointment\n\nIndependent members\n\n (1) An independent member holds office for the period specified in the relevant instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 2 years.\n\nParliamentarians\n\n (2) A parliamentarian (the appointed person) appointed under subsection 14(1) as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee holds office for a period commencing on the date specified in the instrument of appointment and ending at the earliest of the following times:\n\n (a) 2 years after that date;\n\n (b) the day the appointed person ceases to be a parliamentarian;\n\n (c) the day the poll at an election is declared for the electorate in which the appointed person is standing for office.\n\nNote: Paragraph (c) applies regardless of whether the appointed person is re‑elected as a parliamentarian.\n\nMOPS employees\n\n (3) A MOPS employee (the appointed person) appointed under subsection 14(1) as a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee holds office for a period commencing on the date specified in the instrument of appointment and ending at the earliest of the following times:\n\n (a) 2 years after that date;\n\n (b) the day the appointed person ceases to be a MOPS employee;\n\n (c) the day the poll at an election is declared for the electorate in which the parliamentarian by whom the appointed person is employed is standing for office.\n\nNote: Paragraph (c) applies regardless of whether the parliamentarian is re‑elected.\n\n18  Resignation\n\nIndependent members\n\n (1) An independent member may resign the appointment of Chair or member of the PWSS Consultative Committee (as applicable) by giving the Minister a written resignation.\n\n (2) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Minister or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.\n\nParliamentarians and MOPS employees\n\n (3) A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee who is a parliamentarian or MOPS employee may resign the appointment of member by giving the Chair a written resignation.\n\n (4) The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Chair or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.\n\nMOPS employee taken to resign if employed by parliamentarian on the Committee\n\n (5) A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee who is a MOPS employee is taken to have resigned the appointment of member if the MOPS employee is employed by a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee who is a parliamentarian.\n\n (6) The resignation takes effect on the day the MOPS employee is so employed.\n\n19  Termination of appointment\n\n (1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee:\n\n (a) for misbehaviour; or\n\n (b) if the member is unable to perform the duties of the appointed office because of physical or mental incapacity; or\n\n (c) if the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 16 (disclosure of interests); or\n\n (d) if the member fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings of the PWSS Consultative Committee without prior agreement or reasonable excuse.\n\n (2) Before the Minister terminates the appointment of an independent member under subsection (1), the Minister must consult with the CEO.\n\n (3) Before the Minister terminates the appointment of a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee who is a parliamentarian or MOPS employee under subsection (1), the Minister must consult with the Chair of the PWSS Consultative Committee.\n\n (4) A failure to comply with subsection (2) or (3) does not affect the validity of a termination.\n\n20  Other terms and conditions\n\n  A member of the PWSS Consultative Committee holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by the Act or this instrument that are determined by the Minister.\n\n21  Other procedural and operational rules\n\nCommittee generally operates as it determines\n\n (1) The PWSS Consultative Committee may, subject to the Act and this Part, do the following:\n\n (a) operate in the way it determines;\n\n (b) regulate proceedings at its meetings as it considers appropriate.\n\nHolding meetings\n\n (2) Subject to subsection (3), the Chair of the PWSS Consultative Committee may convene a meeting at any time.\n\n (3) If, in a calendar year, the Chair of the PWSS Consultative Committee has convened 4 or more meetings, the Chair may only convene a further meeting in that year if the Chair considers that the meeting is needed due to exceptional circumstances.\n\nVacancies, etc.\n\n (4) In managing matters relating to any vacancy of a position of a member of the PWSS Consultative Committee, leave of absence, acting appointments or any other matter relating to the membership of the PWSS Consultative Committee, the Chair must have regard to the matters relating to appointments set out in this Part and the Act.\n","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":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: establishing procedural and operational rules for the PWSS Advisory Board and Consultative Committee as contemplated by the 2023 Act. There is no scope creep; the Rules do exactly what the empowering legislation anticipated."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple member categories with distinct appointment rules, term limits, and resignation procedures (independent members vs parliamentarians vs MOPS employees)","Nested conditions for appointments — e.g., s14(2)-(7) layers prohibitions, requirements, and 'desirability' considerations","Cross-references to the parent Act (Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023) and the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 for reappointment and meeting participation rules","Exception to quorum rule in s8(2) for conflicted members, creating a conditional override of the general quorum requirement","Different procedural rules for resignation depending on member type (Minister vs Chair as recipient)","Automatic deemed resignation trigger in s18(5)-(6) for MOPS employees whose employer joins the Committee"],"plain_english_summary":"The Rules set operating standards for the two governance bodies supporting the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service, defining membership, appointment standards, meeting and conduct expectations, terms, conflict‑of‑interest rules, pay for independent members, and removal grounds. They affect independent experts, parliamentarians, and MP staff who sit on the Advisory Board and Consultative Committee.\n\nBy formalising balanced representation, merit‑based appointments and clear disclosure and meeting rules, the instrument aims to strengthen independent oversight and make Parliament’s workplace support system fairer and more accountable."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument implements procedural and membership rules authorised by the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act (notably subsections cited in its notes). The text confines itself to governance, appointment, meeting and conflict‑management procedures and does not, on its face, expand the substantive remit of the PWSS beyond the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple, tightly specified membership categories and representational requirements for the Consultative Committee (s.13)","Detailed appointment constraints for independent members requiring merit‑based selection and public advertising, plus independence considerations (ss.14(2)‑(4))","Ministerial discretion over appointments, remit of terms and remuneration for independents (ss.14,15,20) increases interpretive and executive decision points","Conflict disclosure, recusal mechanics and minute‑recording obligations create compliance burdens and procedural steps (s.16)","Termination grounds and required pre‑termination consultations introduce procedural safeguards and potential for administrative challenge (s.19)","Meeting governance rules: quorum exception if a conflicted member leaves, caps on Chair‑convened meetings and internal rulemaking latitude (ss.6,8,11,21)","Cross‑references to the PWSS Act and other legislation (Acts Interpretation Act 1901, Fair Work Act 2009) add layers of legal interpretation (ss.3, notes)","Fixed maximum appointment terms and staggered end‑dates tied to external events (elections, employment status) complicate continuity planning (s.17)","Commencement table and registration timing create transitional timing considerations (s.2)"],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules set the procedures for two PWSS governance bodies — the Advisory Board and the Consultative Committee — defining who sits on them, how members are appointed and paid, how meetings are run, and conflict‑of‑interest and termination rules. They implement specific powers in the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act. The Minister appoints members and determines pay for independents (ss.14–15); members must disclose pecuniary interests and can be removed for breaches (ss.16,19). Chairs control meeting calls but face limits on frequency (ss.6,21)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025","history":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/parliamentary-workplace-support-service-rules-2025/documents"}}