Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

The Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017 (Cth) is the transitional legal machinery that facilitated the repeal of Australia's historic, entitlement-based parliamentary expense system and its replacement with a modernized, resource-based framework. Mechanically, the Act repeals the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952 and the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990, shifting the legal basis of parliamentary remuneration and support from an amorphous concept of "entitlements" to a more strictly defined regime of "public resources".

At its core, the Act amends the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 (IPEA Act) to align the vocabulary and jurisdiction of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) with the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act). It strips out legacy definitions such as "designated parliamentary benefits" and "MP travel expenses", replacing them with unified terms like "MP work resources", "MP travel resources", and "MOPS travel resources" (the latter referring to staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984).

The Act also performs extensive consequential amendments across a network of eight other federal statutes. These amendments harmonise provisions relating to age discrimination, ministerial salaries, parliamentary superannuation, retirement travel, and workers' compensation. Additionally, the Act establishes saving and transitional rules designed to manage the practical friction of this legislative shift. It ensures that any travel, work expenses, or injury compensation claims that occurred before the transition date of 1 January 2018 remain governed by the old legislative regimes, while cleanly routing all subsequent transactions into the new PBR Act framework.

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Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

No. 38, 2017

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the enactment of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and for related purposes

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedules

Schedule 1—Amendments

Part 1—Amendment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

Part 2—Other amendments

Age Discrimination Act 2004

Ministers of State Act 1952

Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948

Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002

Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004

Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990

Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

Part 3—Contingent amendments

Freedom of Information Act 1982

Schedule 2—Repeals

Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952

Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990

Schedule 3—Application and transitional provisions

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Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

No. 38, 2017

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the enactment of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and for related purposes

[Assented to 19 May 2017]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1 Short title

This Act is the Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017.

2 Commencement

(1) Each provision of this Act 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.

Commencement information
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Provisions Commencement Date/Details
1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 19 May 2017
1. Schedule 1, Part 1 The later of:(a) immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017; and(b) the commencement of section 3 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur. 1 January 2018(paragraph (b) applies)
1. Schedule 1, Part 2 At the same time as section 3 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 commences.However, the provisions do not commence at all if that section does not commence. 1 January 2018
1. Schedule 1, Part 3 The later of:(a) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments) Act 2017; and(b) the commencement of section 3 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.However, the provisions do not commence at all if the event mentioned in paragraph (b) does not occur. 1 January 2018(paragraph (b) applies)
1. Schedules 2 and 3 At the same time as section 3 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 commences.However, the provisions do not commence at all if that section does not commence. 1 January 2018

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.

(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.

3 Schedules

Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Amendments

Part 1—Amendment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

1 Section 3

Omit:

• The Authority has functions relating to:

(a) the work expenses, travel expenses and travel allowances of members of parliament; and

(b) certain travel expenses of former members of parliament; and

(c) the travel expenses and travel allowances of persons employed under Part III or IV of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

• Those functions include:

(a) giving advice about travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(b) monitoring travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(d) audits relating to work expenses, travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(e) processing claims relating to travel expenses and travel allowances.

substitute:

• The Authority has functions relating to:

(a) the work resources and travel resources (which are travel expenses and travel allowances) of members of parliament; and

(b) certain resources of former members of parliament; and

• Those functions include:

(a) giving advice about travel resources; and

(b) monitoring travel resources; and

(d) audits relating to work resources and travel resources; and

(e) processing claims relating to travel resources; and

(f) giving rulings relating to travel resources.

2 Section 4

Before “In this Act:”, insert “(1)”.

3 Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

(a) the definition of designated parliamentary benefit;

(b) the definition of designated parliamentary travel benefit.

4 Section 4 (definition of member of parliament)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

member of parliament means:

(a) a senator; or

(b) a member of the House of Representatives; or

(d) a person who is taken to be the President of the Senate under the Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act 1965 and who is not a senator or member of the House of Representatives; or

(e) a person who is taken to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives under the Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act 1965 and who is not a senator or member of the House of Representatives.

5 Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

(a) the definition of MOPS travel allowance;

(b) the definition of MOPS travel expenditure matter;

6 Section 4

Insert:

MOPS travel resource means:

(a) an expense that is:

(i) incurred in connection with travel by a MOPS staff member at the expense of the Commonwealth; and

(ii) authorised by or under, or by an agreement made under, a law of the Commonwealth (other than this Act); or

(b) an allowance that is:

(i) payable to a MOPS staff member in connection with travel by the MOPS staff member; and

(ii) authorised by or under, or by an agreement made under, a law of the Commonwealth (other than this Act).

7 Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

(a) the definition of MP travel allowance;

(b) the definition of MP travel expenditure matter;

(d) the definition of MP travel expenses law.

8 Section 4

Insert:

MP travel resource means:

(a) a travel expense payable under section 30 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017; or

(b) a travel allowance payable under section 31 of that Act; or

(c) an allowance or expense in connection with the travel of a former member of parliament that is payable under section 15 of that Act; or

(d) a Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002.

9 Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

(a) the definition of MP work expense;

(b) the definition of MP work expense matter;

10 Section 4

Insert:

MP work resource means:

(a) MP travel resource; or

(b) an allowance or expense that is payable under section 15 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017; or

(d) a public resource that is provided by the Commonwealth under Part 3 of that Act.

11 Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

(a) the definition of spouse;

(b) the definition of transition time.

12 At the end of section 4

Add:

(2) To avoid doubt, a reference in this Act to an amount or resource (however described) that is payable or provided under this or any other Act includes an amount or resource that is purportedly payable or provided under that Act.

13 Section 5 (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

5 Expenses or allowances in connection with travel

14 Subsection 5(1)

Omit “the following are examples of benefits or expenses in connection with travel”, substitute “expenses or allowances in connection with travel include expenses or allowances that relate to the following costs”.

15 After paragraph 5(1)(a)

Insert:

(aa) the cost of taxis or other local transport in connection with travel;

16 Subsection 5(2)

Omit “The following are examples of benefits or expenses in connection with travel overseas”, substitute “Expenses or allowances in connection with travel overseas include expenses or allowances that relate to the following costs”.

17 Section 10

Omit:

• The Authority has functions relating to:

(a) the work expenses, travel expenses and travel allowances of members of parliament; and

(b) certain travel expenses of former members of parliament; and

(c) the travel expenses and travel allowances of persons employed under Part III or IV of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

• Those functions include:

(a) giving advice about travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(b) monitoring travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(d) audits relating to work expenses, travel expenses and travel allowances; and

(e) processing claims relating to travel expenses and travel allowances.

substitute:

• The Authority has functions relating to:

(a) the work resources and travel resources (which are travel expenses and travel allowances) of members of parliament; and

(b) certain resources of former members of parliament; and

• Those functions include:

(a) giving advice about travel resources; and

(b) monitoring travel resources; and

(d) audits relating to work resources and travel resources; and

(e) processing claims relating to travel resources; and

(f) giving rulings relating to travel resources.

18 Section 12

Repeal the section, substitute:

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

(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 relating to MP travel resources under section 37 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017;

(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.

Reports may include personal information

(2) A report under any of paragraphs (1)(e) to (h) may include personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988).

Note: Each of those paragraphs constitutes an authorisation for the purposes of the Privacy Act 1988 and other laws.

Certain agency functions are not exclusive

(3) Paragraphs (1)(k) and (l) do not, by implication, prevent an agent of the Commonwealth (other than the Authority) from having the authority to incur an expense of the kind referred to in those paragraphs on behalf of the Commonwealth.

Functions cover claims

(4) To avoid doubt, a reference to MP travel resources, MP work resources or MOPS travel resources includes a reference to a claim for such resources.

19 Paragraphs 33(1)(a) and (b)

Repeal the paragraphs, substitute:

(a) matters relating to MP work resources; or

(b) matters relating to MOPS travel resources.

20 Subsection 53(1)

Omit “paragraph 12(1)(d), (e), (f), (s), (t) or (u)”, substitute “any of paragraphs 12(1)(e) to (i)”.

21 Section 63

Repeal the section, substitute:

63 Transitional legislative rules

The legislative rules may prescribe matters of a transitional nature relating to the abolition of the body known as the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority that was established as an Executive Agency under section 65 of the Public Service Act 1999.

Part 2—Other amendments

Age Discrimination Act 2004

22 Schedule 1 (table item 38)

Omit “Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990”, substitute “Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

Ministers of State Act 1952

23 Title

Omit “and to make provision for their Salaries and Allowances”.

24 At the end of section 4

Add:

Note: For the annual limit on the sum payable for the salaries of Ministers of State, see section 55 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

25 Sections 5 and 6

Repeal the sections.

Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948

26 Subsection 4(1) (definition of allowance by way of salary)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

allowance by way of salary means office holder’s salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017), excluding any portion determined under paragraph 45(3)(b) of that Act as not being allowance by way of salary for the purposes of this Act.

27 Subsection 4(1) (definition of office holder)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

office holder means an office holder (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017) to whom a parliamentary allowance is payable.

28 Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (b) of the definition of parliamentary allowance)

After “Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952”, insert “, as in force at any time before the commencement of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

29 Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (d) of the definition of parliamentary allowance)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(d) parliamentary base salary (within the meaning of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, as in force at any time before the commencement of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017), excluding any portion determined in a determination that is in force under subsection 7(1A) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 at any time before that commencement; or

(e) base salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017), excluding any portion determined under paragraph 45(3)(a) of that Act as not being parliamentary allowance for the purposes of this Act.

30 Subsection 4(1) (definition of salary)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

salary, in relation to a Minister of State, means Ministerial salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017), excluding any portion determined under subsection 45(5) of that Act as not being salary for the purposes of this Act.

31 Paragraph 4(5)(c)

After “Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952”, insert “, as in force at any time before the commencement of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

32 At the end of subsection 4(5)

Add:

; or (d) section 49 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

33 Subsection 18(12)

Omit “Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990”, substitute “Division 3 of Part 2 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

34 Subsection 21B(1) (paragraph (b) of the definition of remuneration)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(b) any remuneration payable under section 14 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

35 Subsections 21B(3B) and 22T(1A)

Omit “Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990”, substitute “Division 3 of Part 2 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

36 Paragraph 22T(5)(a)

Omit “subsection 7(1A) or (1B) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973”, substitute “paragraph 45(3)(a) or (b) of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

37 Paragraph 22T(5)(b)

Omit “subsection 7(1)”, substitute “subsection 45(1)”.

38 Paragraph 22T(6)(a)

Omit “subsection 7(2A) of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973”, substitute “subsection 45(5) of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

39 Subclause 4(3) of Schedule 1

Omit “Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990”, substitute “Division 3 of Part 2 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002

40 Section 4

Insert:

Remuneration Tribunal Minister means the Minister who administers the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

41 Section 26

Omit “determined from time to time by the Remuneration Tribunal”, substitute “prescribed under section 30 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

42 Before subsection 30(1)

Insert:

(1A) The Remuneration Tribunal may make a determination for the purposes of this Act.

43 Subsections 30(1) and (2)

After “Remuneration Tribunal”, insert “under subsection (1A)”.

44 Subsection 30(3)

After “determination”, insert “under subsection (1A)”.

45 Subsection 30(4)

Repeal the subsection.

46 Paragraph 30(5)(b)

After “section”, insert “and whether made under subsection (1A) or any other Act”.

47 After section 30

Insert:

30AA Requirements for determinations

(1) A determination of the Remuneration Tribunal under section 30 must be in writing.

Commencement of the determination

(2) The determination comes into operation on:

(a) the day specified in the determination; or

(b) the day an event specified in the determination occurs or occurred.

Dealing with the determination once made

(3) The Tribunal must give the Remuneration Tribunal Minister a copy of the determination.

(4) The Tribunal must ensure that its reasons for making the determination are published on its website and notified to the Remuneration Tribunal Minister.

Legislative instrument

(5) The determination is a legislative instrument, but section 42 (disallowance) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the determination.

Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004

48 Section 3 (definition of allowance by way of salary)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

allowance by way of salary means office holder’s salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017).

49 Section 3 (definition of office holder)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

office holder means an office holder (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017) to whom a parliamentary allowance is payable.

50 Section 3 (paragraph (b) of the definition of parliamentary allowance)

After “Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973”, insert “, as in force before the commencement of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

51 Section 3 (at the end of the definition of parliamentary allowance)

Add:

; or (c) base salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017).

52 Section 3 (definition of salary)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

salary, in relation to a Minister of State, means Ministerial salary (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017).

53 Subsection 8(3)

Omit “Part 1 of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990”, substitute “Division 3 of Part 2 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990

54 Subsection 3(5)

Repeal the subsection.

55 Sections 6 and 7

Repeal the sections.

56 Schedules 3 and 4

Repeal the Schedules.

Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973

57 Subsection 3(1) (definition of additional Parliamentary office holder salary)

Repeal the definition.

58 Subsection 3(1) (definition of parliamentary base salary)

Repeal the definition.

59 After subsection 5(2D)

Insert:

(2E) The Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 may confer additional functions on the Tribunal.

60 Section 6 (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

6 Inquiries and reports by the Tribunal into the salaries of officers of higher education institutions

61 Subsection 6(1)

Repeal the subsection.

62 Subsection 6(3)

Omit “(1) or”.

63 Subsections 7(1) to (2A)

Repeal the subsections.

64 Subsection 7(4)

Omit “(1), (2),”.

65 Subsection 7(5G)

Repeal the subsection.

66 Subsection 7(7)

Omit “that is referred to in subsection (8AA) or”.

67 Subsection 7(8AA)

Repeal the subsection.

68 Section 7A

Repeal the section.

69 Paragraph 8(1)(a)

Omit “subsections 6(1) and (2A)”, substitute “subsection 6(2A)”.

70 Paragraph 8(1)(b)

Omit “subsections 7(1), (2) and (3)”, substitute “subsection 7(3)”.

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

71 Section 69 (note)

Omit “Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990”, substitute “Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

72 Subsections 73(1) and 73A(1)

Omit “Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990”, substitute “Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

73 Subparagraph 91(3)(a)(vi)

Omit “Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990”, substitute “Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017”.

Part 3—Contingent amendments

Freedom of Information Act 1982

74 Division 1 of Part II of Schedule 2 (item dealing with Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority)

Omit “or (p)” (wherever occurring).

Schedule 2—Repeals

Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952

1 The whole of the Act

Repeal the Act.

Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990

2 The whole of the Act

Repeal the Act.

Schedule 3—Application and transitional provisions

1 Interpretation

(1) In this Schedule, PBR Act means the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

(2) An expression that is defined in the PBR Act has the same meaning in this Schedule as it has in that Act.

2 Application of Part 2 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (remuneration etc.)

Division 2 of Part 2 of the PBR Act (remuneration etc.)

(1) Division 2 of Part 2 of the PBR Act applies in relation to:

(a) remuneration that is payable or to be provided in relation to the day this item commences and later days; and

(b) expenses and allowances that are payable under section 15 of that Act in relation to the day this item commences and later days; and

(c) goods, services, premises, equipment and any other facility to be provided under section 16 of that Act in relation to the day this item commences and later days.

Division 3 of Part 2 of the PBR Act (salary sacrifice)

(2) Section 21 of the PBR Act applies in relation to calendar months that commence at or after the commencement of this item.

(3) An election described in clause 1D of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 that is in force immediately before the commencement of this item is taken, after that commencement, to be an election described in section 18 of the PBR Act.

(4) The repeal of clause 1G of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 made by Schedule 1 to this Act applies in relation to calendar months that commence at or after the commencement of this item.

3 Application of other Parts of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017

Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 3 of the PBR Act (work expenses, allowances and other public resources)

(1) Divisions 2 and 3 of Part 3 of the PBR Act apply in relation to claims made, and expenses incurred, after the commencement of this item in relation to parliamentary business conducted after that commencement.

Division 3 of Part 4 of the PBR Act (public resources penalty scheme)

(2) Division 3 of Part 4 of the PBR Act applies in relation to public resources provided after the commencement of this item.

Section 55 of the PBR Act (annual limit on Ministerial salaries)

(3) Section 55 of the PBR Act applies in relation to financial years that end after the commencement of this item.

4 Continuation of Parliamentary injury compensation scheme

New injuries, diseases, aggravations, losses or damage

(1) An instrument that is in force under section 9A of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 immediately before the commencement of this item is taken, after that commencement, to have been made under section 41 of the PBR Act.

(2) That instrument applies, in accordance with subitem (3) and any regulations made for the purposes of subitem (5), in relation to:

(a) injuries that occur, and diseases that are suffered, after the commencement of this item in connection with an activity occurring:

(i) after that commencement; or

(ii) both before, and on or after, that commencement (whether the activity spans the commencement or occurs during separate periods before and on or after that date); and

(b) deaths that result from such injuries and diseases; and

(d) loss of, or damage to property, that occurred after the commencement of this item.

(3) That instrument applies as if a reference to the expression in column 1 of an item of the following table included a reference to the expression in column 2 of that item.

Translating references in the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme instrument
Item Column 1 Column 2
1 member within the meaning of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 member within the meaning of the PBR Act
2 Parliamentary activities parliamentary business
3 Parliamentary allowance base salary, office holder’s salary or Ministerial salary within the meaning of the PBR Act
4 parliamentary base salary within the meaning of Part II of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 base salary within the meaning of the PBR Act
5 additional Parliamentary office holder salary within the meaning of Part II of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 office holder’s salary within the meaning of the PBR Act

Old injuries, diseases, aggravations, losses or damage

(4) Despite the repeal of section 9A of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 by Schedule 2 to this Act, the instrument made under that section, as in force immediately before that repeal, continues to apply, in accordance with any regulations made for the purposes of subitem (5), in relation to:

(a) injuries that occurred, and diseases that were suffered, in connection with an activity (except an activity covered by subparagraph (2)(a)(ii)) occurring before that commencement, whether those injuries or diseases occur before or after the commencement of this item; and

(b) deaths that result from such injuries and diseases, whether those deaths occur before or after that commencement; and

(d) loss of, or damage to property, that occurred before the commencement of this item.

Modifications power

(5) The regulations may provide that the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme, as it applies under subitem (2) or (4), has effect with any modifications prescribed by the regulations.

Note: The regulations may also modify the effect of this item during the first 12 months after it commences (see item 11).

(6) Subitem (5) does not limit the regulations that may be made in relation to the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme under item 11.

(7) To avoid doubt, this item does not prevent an instrument being made under section 41 of the PBR Act.

(8) Subsection 12(2) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to the first instrument made under section 41 of the PBR Act after the commencement of this item.

Note: Subsection 12(2) of the Legislation Act 2003 is about the retrospective application of legislative instruments.

5 Approvals in force

If:

(a) immediately before the commencement of this item, an approval is in force in relation to an allowance or benefit under the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952 or the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 that is payable to a member or former member; and

(b) after that commencement, the Commonwealth is liable under the PBR Act to provide public resources, or resources under Part 5, equivalent to the allowance or benefit to the member or former member;

the approval is taken, after that commencement, to have been given in relation to the provision of those resources to the member or former member.

6 Application of the repeal of the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952 and the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990

(1) This item applies in relation to the repeal of the following provisions:

(a) the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952;

(b) the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990, except section 9A of that Act;

(c) any instruments made under those Acts, except the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme made under section 9A of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990;

as in force immediately before the commencement of this item.

(2) Despite those repeals, those provisions continue to apply in relation to:

(a) allowances and benefits to which a person became entitled under those provisions before the commencement of this item; and

(b) allowances and benefits to which a person becomes entitled under those provisions, after the commencement of this item, in relation to activities conducted before that commencement;

including allowances and benefits payable to a person as a result of section 10A of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990.

Note: Subitem (2) covers remuneration in relation to days before the commencement of this item.

(3) For the purposes of subitem (2), a person is taken to have become entitled to a benefit before the commencement of this item if:

(a) the benefit relates to a return journey of travel; and

(b) the journey began before that commencement.

7 Application of amendments of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

(1) Despite the repeal of section 12 and subsections 63(1) to (7) of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 by Schedule 1 to this Act, those provisions, as in force immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act, continue to apply after that commencement in relation to matters that occurred before that commencement (including in relation to matters that occurred before the commencement of section 3 of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017).

(2) Rules that are in force under subsection 63(8) of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act are taken, after that commencement, to be in force under section 63 of that Act (as amended by Schedule 1 to this Act).

(3) Despite the repeal of paragraphs 33(1)(a) and (b) of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 by Schedule 1 to this Act, those paragraphs continue to apply in relation to information or documents that are required before or after the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act relating to MP work expense matters or MOPS travel expenditure matters.

(4) Despite the amendment of subsection 53(1) of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 made by Schedule 1 to this Act, that subsection, as in force immediately before the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Act, continues to apply in relation to notices given before or after the commencement of this item relating to MP work expense matters and MOPS travel expenditure matters.

8 Application of amendments of the Age Discrimination Act 2004

(1) The amendments of the Age Discrimination Act 2004 made by Schedule 1 to this Act apply in relation to things done by a person after the commencement of this item.

(2) Despite those amendments, that Act, as in force immediately before the commencement of this item, continues to apply in relation to things done after that commencement under the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme (within the meaning of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990), as that scheme continues to apply as a result of this Schedule.

9 Application of amendments of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 and the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004

The amendments of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 and the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 made by Schedule 1 to this Act apply in relation to calendar months that commence at or after the commencement of this item.

10 Application of amendments of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

(1) The amendments of section 91 of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 made by Schedule 1 to this Act apply in relation to expenses, charges, obligations and liabilities incurred or undertaken by Comcare under the PBR Act after this item commences.

(2) Despite those amendments, that section, as in force immediately before the commencement of this item, continues to apply in relation to expenses, charges, obligations and liabilities incurred or undertaken by Comcare, after the commencement of this item, under the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 (as it continues to apply as a result of this Schedule).

11 Transitional regulations

(1) The Governor‑General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to:

(a) the amendments or repeals made by this Act; or

(b) the enactment of this Act or the PBR Act.

(2) Regulations made for the purposes of this item may provide that, during or in relation to the first 12 months after the commencement of this item, this Act has effect with any modifications prescribed by the regulations.

(3) Subsection 12(2) of the Legislation Act 2003 does not apply to regulations made for the purposes of subitem (2).

Note: Subsection 12(2) of the Legislation Act 2003 is about the retrospective application of legislative instruments.

(4) This Act does not limit the regulations that may be made for the purposes of subitem (1).

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 30 March 2017

Senate on 11 May 2017]

(77/17)

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Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

No. 38, 2017

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the enactment of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and for related purposes

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedules

Schedule 1—Amendments

Part 1—Amendment of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017

Part 2—Other amendments

Age Discrimination Act 2004

Ministers of State Act 1952

Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948

Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002

Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004

Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990

Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973

Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

Part 3—Contingent amendments

Freedom of Information Act 1982

Schedule 2—Repeals

Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952

Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990

Schedule 3—Application and transitional provisions

Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

No. 38, 2017

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the enactment of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017, and for related purposes

[Assented to 19 May 2017]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1 Short title

This Act is the Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017.

To navigate this legislation, one must understand the distinct taxonomy it establishes to categorise the financial and material support provided to politicians and their staff. The Act systematically replaces the concept of "parliamentary benefits" with a tiered structure of "resources".

The first central concept is the MP travel resource. This is defined under the amended IPEA Act as a travel expense payable under section 30 of the PBR Act, a travel allowance payable under section 31 of that Act, an allowance or expense in connection with the travel of a former member of parliament payable under section 15 of that Act, or a Parliamentary Retirement Travel Entitlement under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002.

The second major concept is the MP work resource, which is a broader, umbrella category. Under the amended definitions, an MP work resource includes any MP travel resource, any allowance or expense payable under section 15 of the PBR Act, any physical goods, services, premises, equipment, or other facilities provided under section 16 of the PBR Act, and any public resource provided by the Commonwealth under Part 3 of the PBR Act. By grouping physical office spaces, staff travel, and telecommunications under this single statutory term, the legislation expands the auditing and reporting jurisdiction of IPEA to encompass virtually every tangible asset or financial service supplied to a parliamentarian.

The third concept is the MOPS travel resource, which governs the travel expenses and allowances incurred by political staff employed under Part III or IV of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984. By standardising this definition, the Act allows IPEA to administer and audit staff travel using the same regulatory structures applied to the parliamentarians themselves.

Additionally, the Act introduces a crucial legal fiction in Schedule 1, Item 12, inserting subsection 4(2) into the IPEA Act. This subsection states that any reference to an amount or resource payable or provided under any Act includes an amount or resource "purportedly payable or provided". This concept is highly significant for risk and recovery purposes: it ensures that if the Commonwealth mistakenly pays an expense that was never legally authorised, that payment is still classified as a "resource" under the law, thereby preserving IPEA's statutory power to audit, report on, and recover the funds.

The practical reach of the Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017 extends across several distinct categories of individuals and institutions within the federal political ecosystem.

First, it directly affects all sitting Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, alongside Ministers of State. The Act fundamentally alters how their base salaries, office holder salaries, and ministerial salaries are classified and processed for superannuation purposes. For instance, those covered by the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 or the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004 find their "allowance by way of salary" and "salary" redefined to align with the new PBR Act determinations, changing how their retirement benefits are calculated and salary-sacrificed.

Second, the Act affects former members of parliament. Those who possessed accrued travel rights under the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002 are subjected to a restructured regime where their entitlements are prescribed under section 30 of the PBR Act rather than determined directly by the Remuneration Tribunal under its legacy framework.

Third, it covers parliamentary presiding officers (the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives), including individuals who are deemed to hold these offices under the Parliamentary Presiding Officers Act 1965. The Act ensures that their specialized administrative allowances and salaries are seamlessly brought under the new PBR Act rules.

Fourth, the Act impacts political staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984. Their travel expenses and allowances are now classified as "MOPS travel resources" and subjected to the direct auditing, advice, and recovery jurisdiction of IPEA.

Fifth, the Act reshapes the jurisdictions of key regulatory and administrative agencies. The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (IPEA) received altered and expanded statutory functions. The Remuneration Tribunal saw its primary powers under sections 6 and 7 of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 stripped of direct parliamentary salary-setting mechanics, with those functions transferred to the PBR Act framework, while section 5(2E) was inserted to allow the PBR Act to confer new functions back onto the Tribunal. Comcare is also affected, as the administration of the Parliamentary injury compensation scheme is transitioned from the repealed Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 to section 41 of the PBR Act.

The Act establishes a reworked matrix of statutory duties for regulatory bodies and transitional rights for individuals.

Under the amended section 12 of the IPEA Act, IPEA is charged with a comprehensive suite of functions. It has the duty to give personal advice to members, former members, and MOPS staff regarding travel resources; issue and publish general advisory documents; monitor travel resources; prepare and publish regular and ad hoc reports on work and travel resources; and conduct or arrange audits. Crucially, IPEA is given the duty to give formal "rulings" relating to MP travel resources under section 37 of the PBR Act, and is empowered to process claims and incur travel-related expenses on behalf of the Commonwealth. It also bears the explicit duty to recover overpayments, repayments, and cost recovery payments, whether through direct repayment or set-off arrangements.

For parliamentarians and staff, the Act preserves certain transitional rights. Under Schedule 3, Item 2(3), any salary sacrifice election made under the old Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 that was in force immediately before the transition date is legally preserved and treated as an election under section 18 of the PBR Act. Furthermore, under Schedule 3, Item 6, individuals retain the right to receive allowances and benefits accrued under the repealed Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952 and Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 for any activities conducted or journeys commenced prior to 1 January 2018.

For the Remuneration Tribunal, the Act inserts section 30AA into the Parliamentary Retirement Travel Act 2002, creating a strict statutory duty to make determinations in writing, provide a copy to the administering Minister, and publish the reasons for every determination on its website.

Finally, under the transitioned Parliamentary injury compensation scheme (Schedule 3, Item 4), members gain the right to have injuries, diseases, or property damage suffered during parliamentary activities treated under a modernized compensation framework. The Minister is empowered to transition existing scheme instruments to section 41 of the PBR Act, while Comcare retains its duty to manage and fund liabilities under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

While this Act is primarily transitional, it serves as the enforcement bridge that activates the punitive elements of the PBR Act and preserves historical investigative powers.

First, the Act applies the public resources penalty scheme (established under Division 3 of Part 4 of the PBR Act) to all public resources provided after the commencement date of 1 January 2018. This scheme imposes financial penalties on parliamentarians who claim resources in breach of the rules, marking a shift from simple repayment to statutory penalties.

Second, the Act preserves the enforcement powers of IPEA for past conduct. Under Schedule 3, Item 7, despite the repeal of the old section 12 and old subsections 63(1) to (7) of the IPEA Act, those provisions continue to apply to any matters that occurred before 1 January 2018. This means that if a parliamentarian misused travel allowances in 2017, IPEA retains the full legal authority to audit, investigate, and report on that conduct using its historical powers.

Third, the Act preserves IPEA's information-gathering and auditing powers for historic transactions. Under Schedule 3, Item 7(3) and 7(4), the repealed paragraphs 33(1)(a) and (b) of the IPEA Act, which govern the production of information or documents, continue to apply to any information required before or after the transition date regarding historical "MP work expense matters" or "MOPS travel expenditure matters". Similarly, old subsection 53(1), which governs the giving of formal notices, remains fully active for historic inquiries. Compliance professionals must note that there is no statutory limitation or "amnesty" period created by this transition; IPEA can compel the production of records for pre-2018 expenses using the old statutory framework indefinitely.

Fourth, under the amended section 12(1)(o) of the IPEA Act, IPEA is granted a continuous enforcement power to recover overpayments, repayments, and cost recovery payments on behalf of the Commonwealth. This power can be exercised via set-off, meaning IPEA can unilaterally deduct owed monies from a parliamentarian's current salary or future resource allocations, bypassing the need to initiate formal civil recovery litigation in the courts.

The Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017 is fundamentally an intersectional statute, acting as the structural connective tissue between the old legislative regime and a host of other Commonwealth Acts.

Its primary interaction is with the PBR Act 2017 and the IPEA Act 2017. It rewrites the definitions of the latter to accommodate the administrative powers of the former. It also interfaces directly with the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 by redefining staff travel allowances as "MOPS travel resources" and subjecting them to the revised s 12 IPEA functions.

The Act significantly modifies the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. It repeals the Tribunal's direct powers to determine "parliamentary base salary" and "additional Parliamentary office holder salary" under its original statutory mechanisms. Instead, these powers are migrated to the PBR Act framework, and the Tribunal is given a new role as an advisory and determining body whose outputs feed directly into the PBR Act's payment mechanisms.

In the realm of employment and compensation law, the Act rewrites portions of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (specifically sections 69, 73, 73A, and 91) to substitute references to the repealed Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 with the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017. This ensures that Comcare's funding and recovery mechanics for parliamentary injuries are properly routed through the new statutory accounts.

The Act also interacts with the Age Discrimination Act 2004 by amending Schedule 1 of that Act. This update ensures that age-based distinctions in parliamentary resource allocations (such as transition rules or travel limits based on length of service) are evaluated against the PBR Act rather than the repealed 1990 Act, while preserving the old Act's application to historic injury claims.

Finally, the Act contains a contingent interaction with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in Part 3 of Schedule 1. It amends Schedule 2 of the FOI Act to refine the exemption status of IPEA, ensuring that certain historical administrative and operational documents are kept outside the standard FOI access regime, while adjusting reference letters to match the revised IPEA Act section numbers.

As a consequential and transitional statute, this Act was designed primarily as a single, point-in-time legislative intervention rather than a framework intended for frequent subsequent amendments. It was introduced into the House of Representatives on 30 March 2017, passed the Senate on 11 May 2017, and received Royal Assent as Act No. 38 of 2017 on 19 May 2017.

The commencement structure of the Act, detailed in the table under section 2(1), is highly complex and relies entirely on contingent commencement dates tied to its companion statutes:

Sections 1 to 3 commenced on the day the Act received Royal Assent, being 19 May 2017.
Schedule 1, Part 1 (amending the IPEA Act) commenced on the later of the commencement of section 3 of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act 2017 and section 3 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017. This ultimately occurred on 1 January 2018.
Schedule 1, Part 2 (the other consequential amendments) commenced simultaneously with section 3 of the PBR Act on 1 January 2018.
Schedule 1, Part 3 (the contingent FOI amendments) commenced on the later of the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority (Consequential Amendments) Act 2017 and section 3 of the PBR Act, which resolved to 1 January 2018.
Schedules 2 and 3 (repeals and transitional provisions) commenced on 1 January 2018, coinciding with the operational start of the new parliamentary resources framework.

The note under section 2(1) explicitly states that the table relates only to the provisions of the Act as originally enacted and will not be amended to deal with any subsequent amendments of the Act. However, subsection 2(2) permits the editing or insertion of actual commencement dates in Column 3 of the table in published versions of the Act, which historically occurred to confirm the 1 January 2018 commencement date.

Because the Act functions as transitional administrative machinery rather than a source of substantive, ongoing civil or criminal liability, it has not been the subject of prominent, reported judicial decisions. The source text itself does not name any specific court cases, and this absence of litigation reflects the internal, administrative nature of the statute.

However, the transitional boundaries established by the Act are highly relevant to potential legal disputes regarding parliamentary expenditure. In the Australian legal context, disputes over parliamentary travel and work resources are typically resolved internally via IPEA audits, administrative repayments, or appeals to the Remuneration Tribunal, rather than public litigation in the Federal Court.

The primary legal friction points that could trigger litigation relate to the definition of "parliamentary business" and the exact timing of travel. For example, because Schedule 3, Item 6 preserves the old entitlements under the repealed 1990 Act for journeys that "began before" 1 January 2018, any dispute over whether a multi-leg, complex regional flight path constituted a single "return journey" or separate journeys would require a court to interpret the transitional rules in Schedule 3.

Furthermore, because Schedule 1, Item 12 validates IPEA's jurisdiction over resources that are "purportedly payable", any legal challenge by a parliamentarian arguing that IPEA lacks the constitutional or statutory authority to audit an unauthorised, mistaken payment would be defeated by this explicit legislative validation. The litigation history of this Act is therefore best understood as a latent set of boundaries that successfully prevented jurisdictional challenges to IPEA's retrospective auditing authority.

For legal advisers, parliamentary offices, and compliance auditors, this Act contains several subtle "gotchas" that can easily lead to compliance failures or unexpected liabilities if overlooked.

First, the 12-Month Henry VIII Clause in Schedule 3, Item 11 is a significant risk. Under subitem 11(1), the Governor-General is granted extremely broad powers to make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional, saving, or application nature. More critically, under subitem 11(2), these regulations could provide that during the first 12 months after commencement, the Act itself "has effect with any modifications prescribed by the regulations." Subitem 11(3) explicitly overrides subsection 12(2) of the Legislation Act 2003, meaning these transitional regulations could apply retrospectively. This created a period of high regulatory uncertainty where the executive could retrospectively rewrite the transitional rules by executive decree, bypassing standard parliamentary disallowance mechanisms.

Second, the Dual-Track Injury Compensation Scheme in Schedule 3, Item 4 creates an ongoing administrative trap. Rather than integrating all injury claims, the Act splits them based on the date of the underlying activity. If an MP suffered an injury, or contracted a progressive disease, in connection with parliamentary activities occurring before 1 January 2018, their claim is governed by the old, repealed section 9A of the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 and its associated instruments (Schedule 3, Item 4(4)). If the injury relates to activities post-1 January 2018, it is governed by section 41 of the PBR Act, utilizing a complex translation table (Schedule 3, Item 4(3)) to map old terms like "parliamentary activities" to "parliamentary business". This requires Comcare and parliamentary HR departments to run parallel legal assessments for legacy claims.

Third, the "Purportedly Payable" Recovery Trap in Schedule 1, Item 12 means that a recipient of parliamentary funds cannot defend a recovery action by arguing that the payment was made entirely outside the scope of the Act. If a payment was made in error, it is deemed to be "purportedly payable" and is brought within the full force of IPEA’s audit and set-off recovery powers.

Fourth, the Return Journey Split in Schedule 3, Item 6(3) dictates that if a member commenced a return journey before 1 January 2018, the entire journey (including the return leg occurring after 1 January 2018) is treated under the old, repealed 1952 and 1990 Acts. Compliance officers auditing travel in early 2018 must not apply the PBR Act rules to return flights if the initial outbound leg commenced in December 2017, requiring meticulous itinerary-splitting.

To ensure compliance with the transitional framework, parliamentary offices, accountants, and administrators must implement structured operational procedures.

First, establish a Temporal Triage Protocol for all expense claims and audits. Before assessing any claim under the PBR Act, the compliance team must isolate the date of the underlying activity or travel. If the travel or work activity occurred prior to 1 January 2018, the claim must be processed, coded, and evaluated against the repealed Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 or the Parliamentary Allowances Act 1952. If the transaction relates to a return journey, verify the departure date of the first leg: if it occurred before 1 January 2018, the entire transaction must be routed through the legacy system in accordance with Schedule 3, Item 6(3).

Second, conduct a Salary Sacrifice Audit for all transitioning parliamentarians. Payroll administrators must verify that any salary sacrifice elections active under the repealed clause 1D of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 have been formally transitioned and mapped to section 18 of the PBR Act. This transition must be documented in writing to ensure compliance with the superannuation definitions in the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948 and the Parliamentary Superannuation Act 2004.

Third, apply the Injury Scheme Mapping Table for any compensation claims handled by Comcare or parliamentary HR. When processing claims, refer directly to Schedule 3, Item 4(3) to translate legacy terminology. Ensure that any reference to "parliamentary activities" in older injury files is legally mapped to "parliamentary business", and that "parliamentary base salary" is mapped to "base salary" under the PBR Act. For any injuries arising from activities that spanned the 1 January 2018 transition date, apply the dual-track rules to determine whether Comcare's liabilities are governed under the old section 9A or the new section 41.

Fourth, maintain Historic Record Retention and Audit Preparedness. Because the Act explicitly preserves IPEA's historic information-gathering powers (Schedule 3, Item 7), offices must not destroy any travel or expense records from the pre-2018 era. If IPEA issues a notice under the preserved section 33 or section 53 of the IPEA Act, compliance officers must comply with the request using the old "MP work expense matter" definitions. Ensure that all digital and physical archives of historical claims are organized and accessible to defend against retrospective audits.

Parliamentary Business Resources (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2017

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