12Functions of the Authority

12 Functions of the Authority

(1) The Authority has the following functions: (a) to give personal advice: (i) to members and former members of parliament about matters relating to MP travel resources and MOPS travel resources; and (ii) to MOPS staff members about matters relating to MOPS travel resources; (b) to issue general advisory documents about matters relating to: (i) MP travel resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (c) if the Authority considers that a particular general advisory document should be published—publish that general advisory document on the Authority’s website; (d) to monitor matters relating to: (i) MP travel resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (e) to prepare regular reports about matters relating to: (i) MP work resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (f) to publish reports prepared under paragraph (e) on the Authority’s website; (g) to prepare other such reports as the Authority considers appropriate about matters relating to: (i) MP work resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (h) if the Authority considers that a particular report prepared under paragraph (g) should be published—publish that report on the Authority’s website; (i) to conduct, or arrange for the conduct of, such audits as the Authority considers appropriate of matters relating to: (i) MP work resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (j) to process claims, on behalf of the Commonwealth, for: (i) MP travel resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (k) on behalf of the Commonwealth, to incur expenses relating to, to pay or to provide MP travel resources; (l) on behalf of the Commonwealth, to incur expenses relating to MOPS travel resources; (m) to give rulings under section 37 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 relating to certain MP travel resources; (n) if a law of the Commonwealth authorises the Authority to give rulings relating to MOPS travel resources—to give those rulings; (o) on behalf of the Commonwealth, to recover (whether by way of set‑off or otherwise) overpayments, repayments and cost recovery payments relating to: (i) MP travel resources; and (ii) MOPS travel resources; (p) such functions (if any) as are conferred on the Authority by any other law of the Commonwealth; (q) such other functions (if any) as are prescribed by the legislative rules; (r) to do anything incidental to or conducive to the performance of any of the above functions. Legislative rules may limit functions in relation to particular resources (1A) The legislative rules may provide that the functions of the Authority do not include doing a specified thing in relation to specified MP travel resources, MP work resources or MOPS travel resources. Any legislative rules made for the purposes of this subsection have effect despite subsection (1). (1B) Without limiting subsection 33(3A) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, legislative rules made for the purposes of subsection (1A) of this section may make different provision in relation to particular resources depending on whether a resource is payable or provided: (a) to or in relation to: (i) a member of parliament; or (ii) a former member of parliament; or (iii) without limiting subparagraph (ii), a former Prime Minister; or (iv) the estate of a person who dies while a member; or (b) in any other circumstance. Appointing persons to request and be given personal advice on behalf of members or former members of parliament (1C) A member or former member of parliament (the appointer) may, by written notice given to the Authority in accordance with subsection (1F), appoint a person covered by subsection (1D) (the appointee) to request and be given personal advice under subparagraph (1)(a)(i) on behalf of the appointer.