accompanies has a meaning affected by subsection 7(2).
Act means the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.
Administrator, in relation to particular public resources, means the resources provider who provides the public resources or arranges for the public resources to be provided.
amount includes a nil amount.
applicant, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5 (legal assistance to Ministers), has the meaning given by section 81.
approving Minister, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5 (legal assistance to Ministers), has the meaning given by section 83.
Australia has the meaning given by the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
Note: When used in a geographical sense, Australia includes Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory: see the definition of Australia in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.
Australian travel allowance has the meaning given by subsection 10(1).
Canberra means any location within a 30km radius of Parliament House.
Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle has the meaning given by paragraph 63A(a).
chartered transport:
(a) means an unscheduled commercial transport service that includes a driver or pilot; and
(b) to avoid doubt, includes the following:
(i) a taxi;
(ii) a regulated ride sharing service;
(iii) any other commercial car service that includes a driver.
commercial transport means scheduled commercial transport or unscheduled commercial transport.
Commonwealth transport means a transport service operated by the Commonwealth.
Commonwealth transport determination means a determination by the Minister under subsection 33(1) of the Act that determines Commonwealth transport as a public resource to be provided.
Note: Commonwealth transport is prescribed under section 62 and section 63 deals with the use of Commonwealth transport.
compliance information has the meaning given by subsection 98(7).
designated person, in relation to a member, means an individual nominated by the member for the purposes of this definition who:
(a) is a member of the member’s immediate or extended family; or
(b) is substantially dependent on the member; or
(c) has significant caring responsibilities for:
(i) the member’s spouse or nominee, or dependent child; or
(ii) another person who is substantially dependent on the member.
dominant purpose test means the requirements set out in subsections 26(1), (3) and (4) of the Act.
driver means a person who is accredited (however described) to provide the relevant driving services on a commercial basis in the places concerned.
election period has the meaning given by subsection 75(4).
electorate:
(a) in relation to a senator, means the State or Territory represented by the senator; or
(b) when used in a geographical sense in relation to a member of the House of Representatives, means the area that constituted the member’s electorate at the end of the most recent election period.
electorate office has the meaning given by section 72.
family member of a member means any of the following:
(a) the member’s spouse or nominee;
(b) a dependent child of the member;
(c) a designated person in relation to the member.
Note 1: For spouse and dependent child, see section 5 of the Act.
Note 2: Nominee and designated person are defined in this section.
family member private vehicle allowance has the meaning given by subsection 27(1).
family reunion purposes, in relation to travel, has the meaning given by section 6.
fare (including an airfare) includes any taxes, booking fees and other costs that are usually associated with travel on the fare.
Finance Minister means the Minister administering the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
fortnightly amount of base salary means the amount worked out in accordance with section 95B.
fortnightly amount of electorate allowance means the amount worked out in accordance with section 95C.
fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary means the amount worked out in accordance with section 95D.
fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance means the amount worked out in accordance with section 95E.
general election means a general election of the members of the House of Representatives.
hired vehicle means a vehicle that is hired without a driver (whether or not a relief driver is engaged separately to drive the vehicle).
home base:
(a) for the Prime Minister—means any of the following:
(i) an official residence of the Prime Minister (or another residence provided by the Commonwealth for the Prime Minister);
(ii) the residence nominated to IPEA by the Prime Minister as the Prime Minister’s principal private place of residence; or
(b) for another member—means the member’s principal place of residence as nominated to IPEA by the member; or
(c) for a family member of a member—means the family member’s principal place of residence as nominated to IPEA by the member.
home base airport, for a person for a journey, means the airport nearest the person’s home base from which the person can use scheduled commercial transport to travel by air for the journey.
international travel:
(a) means:
(i) travel to or from Australia and places outside Australia; or
(ii) travel between places outside Australia; and
(b) includes time spent in places outside Australia.
international travel allowance means:
(a) an international travel equipment allowance; or
(b) an international travel incidentals allowance; or
(c) an international travel meal allowance.
international travel equipment allowance has the meaning given by subsection 60(1).
international travel expenses has the meaning given by section 35.
international travel incidentals allowance has the meaning given by subsection 59(1).
international travel meal allowance has the meaning given by subsection 61(1).
member’s private vehicle allowance has the meaning given by subsection 12(1).
ministerial duties, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5 (legal assistance to Ministers), has the meaning given by section 81.
minority party means a party that:
(a) is not part of the Government or the Opposition; and
(b) has at least 5 members in the Parliament.
nominee, in relation to a member, means a person nominated by the member in place of a spouse.
Note: A member can have a nominee for the purposes of some provisions of Division 2 of Part 2 (travel within Australia for family members).
office expenses has the meaning given by subsection 66(1).
parent: without limiting who is a parent of another person for the purposes of this instrument, a person is the parent of another person if the other person is a child of the person within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975.
pilot means a person who is accredited (however described) to provide the relevant piloting services on a commercial basis in the places concerned.
private plated vehicle means a private plated vehicle provided as part of a member’s remuneration under section 14 of the Act.
private vehicle in relation to a member, or a family member of a member:
(a) includes any vehicle owned by the member or a family member of the member; and
(b) to avoid doubt, does not include a private plated vehicle or a Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle.
proceedings, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5 (legal assistance to Ministers), has the meaning given by section 81.
regional commercial radio broadcasting licence has the same meaning as in section 61CA of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
regional community radio broadcasting licence means a community radio broadcasting licence (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992) that has a regional licence area.
regional licence area has the same meaning as in section 61CA of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
scheduled commercial transport means transport that is operated:
(a) on a commercial basis; and
(b) over a fixed route; and
(c) on a regular timetable or regularly on demand.
Note: Some vehicular ferry services, for example, operate regularly on demand rather than on a regular timetable.
senior office holder means:
(a) the President of the Senate; or
(b) the Speaker of the House of Representatives; or
(c) a Minister; or
(d) the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Opposition in a House of the Parliament.
senior office holder spouse private vehicle allowance has the meaning given by subsection 28(1).
single parent: a member is a single parent of a dependent child of the member if the member is not in a relationship as a couple with a parent of the child.
staff member means a person employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.
subpoena, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5 (legal assistance to Ministers), has the meaning given by section 81.
transitional fortnight means the fortnight beginning on 4 July 2024, including the period that is taken to be included in that fortnight because of subitem 23(2) of Schedule 4 to the Parliamentary Business Resources Legislation Amendment (Review Implementation and Other Measures) Act 2024.
Note: The period beginning on 1 July 2024 and ending on 3 July 2024 is taken to be included in the transitional fortnight.
transport costs has the meaning given by section 5.
transport costs undertaking has the meaning given by subsection 32(2).
travels with has the meaning given by subsection 7(1).
travel within Australia includes travel outside Australia undertaken for the purposes of travelling between places within Australia.
unscheduled commercial transport means transport, other than scheduled commercial transport, that is operated on a commercial basis, and includes the following:
(a) hired vehicles;
(b) chartered transport.
Note: Unscheduled commercial transport does not include Commonwealth transport.
5 Meaning of transport costs
For travel by commercial transport
(1) Transport costs for travel by a particular kind of commercial transport are costs that would normally be required for a person to travel by that kind of transport.
Note 1: For example, transport costs for travel by commercial transport would cover the following:
(a) fares for travel by scheduled commercial transport;
(b) charter or hire costs for travel by unscheduled commercial transport;
(c) car ferry costs for travel by hired vehicle.
Note 2: Fare includes any taxes, booking fees and other costs that are usually associated with travel on the fare: see the definition of fare in section 4.
(2) Transport costs for travel by hired vehicle include any additional costs for parking, fuel, excess reduction insurance or relief drivers.
(3) Transport costs for travel by commercial transport do not include:
(a) fares at higher than business class; or
(b) for travel by hired vehicle:
(i) road tolls; or
(ii) fines or penalties (however described), including for the non‑payment or late payment of road tolls; or
(iii) any administration costs in relation to road tolls, fines or penalties.
For travel by Commonwealth transport
(4) Transport costs for travel by Commonwealth transport do not include costs other than those directly associated with the travel concerned.
6 Meaning of family reunion purposes
A family member of a member travels for family reunion purposes if:
(a) the member is travelling within Australia for the dominant purpose of conducting the member’s parliamentary business; and
(b) the family member travels to accompany or join the member; and
(c) the travel by the family member is for the dominant purpose of facilitating the family life of the member’s family.
7 Meanings of travels with and accompanies
(1) A person who travels with a member travels in the same vehicle, or on the same vessel or aircraft (or other conveyance) as the member.
(2) A person who accompanies a member who is travelling may, but is not required to, travel with the member at all times.
Part 2—Travel expenses and allowances
Division 1—Travel within Australia for members
Subdivision A—Transport costs
8 Travel within Australia
Scheduled or unscheduled commercial transport
(1) For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, transport costs are prescribed for a member to travel by scheduled or unscheduled commercial transport within Australia.
Note: For limits on the use of unscheduled commercial transport, see sections 13 and 14.
Commonwealth transport
(2) For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, transport costs are prescribed for a member to travel by Commonwealth transport within Australia in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
Expenses for travel by private vehicle or private plated vehicle
(3) For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, the following are prescribed for a member to travel by the member’s private vehicle or private plated vehicle, within Australia:
(a) parking fees;
(b) costs for relief drivers;
(c) car ferry costs.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for travel expenses and allowances prescribed by this Division.
9 Other persons travelling by unscheduled commercial transport for conduct of member’s parliamentary business
For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, any additional transport costs for one or more persons (other than family members) to travel with a member by unscheduled commercial transport within Australia are prescribed if:
(a) transport costs prescribed by this instrument could be claimed for the travel by the member by the kind of unscheduled commercial transport concerned if the member travelled without the other person or persons; and
(b) the travel by the other person or persons is reasonably required for the conduct of the member’s parliamentary business.
Subdivision B—Travel allowances
10 Australian travel allowance
(1) For the purposes of subsection 31(1) of the Act, an allowance (the Australian travel allowance) for accommodation, meals and incidental expenses is prescribed for each night the member stays in accommodation in Australia that is not the member’s home base.
Note: The rate of Australian travel allowance is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal: see subsections 31(2) and 45(1) of the Act.
(2) Australian travel allowance is limited to 10 nights in a financial year for travel for the dominant purpose of one or more of the following:
(a) conducting the member’s party political duties at a location other than Canberra;
(b) conducting the member’s electorate duties at places outside the member’s electorate.
(3) The limit in subsection (2) does not include any night in transit for the purpose of facilitating a journey for a purpose covered by that subsection.
Note: An example of such a night in transit would be a night spent by a member from a rural electorate in a capital city for the purpose of connecting with transport to the member’s destination the following morning.
12 Member’s private vehicle allowance—travel to Canberra
(1) For the purposes of subsection 31(1) of the Act, an allowance (the member’s private vehicle allowance) is prescribed for fuel and running costs for a member for travel between the member’s home base and Canberra in the member’s private vehicle.
Note 1: The private vehicle could be owned by a family member: see the definition of private vehicle in section 4.
Note 2: The rate of member’s private vehicle allowance is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal: see subsections 31(2) and 45(1) of the Act.
(2) The travel by private vehicle may be for the whole or part of the journey.
Subdivision C—Limits on use of unscheduled commercial transport
13 When a private plated vehicle could reasonably be used
Transport costs are not prescribed for travel by unscheduled commercial transport within the member’s electorate if the member could reasonably use the member’s private plated vehicle in the circumstances, assuming the member had a private plated vehicle.
Note: A member’s remuneration under section 14 of the Act may include one or more private plated vehicles or an allowance instead of a private plated vehicle.
Note: A member who chooses an allowance instead of a private plated vehicle could reasonably be expected to use the allowance instead of claiming taxi costs in circumstances where a private plated vehicle could otherwise reasonably be used.
14 Large electorates
(1) Transport costs for unscheduled commercial transport for travel by the following members for the dominant purpose of conducting electorate duties in the members’ electorates during a financial year are limited as follows:
(a) for a senator for New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania—$14,860;
(b) for a senator for Queensland or Western Australia—$26,490;
(c) for a senator for the Northern Territory—$65,760;
(d) for a member of the House of Representatives with an electorate with an area of at least 300,000 km2—$120,000;
(e) for a member of the House of Representatives with an electorate with an area of at least 100,000 km2 but less than 300,000 km2—$38,190;
(f) for a member of the House of Representatives with an electorate with an area of at least 25,000 km2 but less than 100,000 km2—$21,160;
(g) for a member of the House of Representatives with an electorate with an area of at least 10,000 km2 but less than 25,000 km2—$10,420.
Note: Amounts for travel by unscheduled commercial transport within large electorates unused during a financial year may carried over into the following financial year: see section 99.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), travel by a member includes travel by persons:
(a) travelling with the member; and
(b) whose transport costs for the travel are prescribed by section 9 (other persons travelling by unscheduled commercial transport for conduct of member’s parliamentary business).
(3) A limit for a member set out in subsection (1) has effect subject to any reduction made:
(a) in accordance with a determination under section 45 of the Act; and
(b) because the member has made a choice available under the determination in relation to one or more private plated vehicles to be provided as part of the member’s remuneration.
Division 2—Travel within Australia for family members
Subdivision A—Transport costs
15 Operation of Subdivision
For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, this Subdivision prescribes travel expenses for family members of a member to travel within Australia.
16 Family reunion travel to Canberra and within local area
(1) This section prescribes transport costs for family members of a member to travel between any of the following for family reunion purposes:
(a) the family member’s home base;
(b) the member’s home base;
(c) Canberra;
(d) places in the State or Territory:
(i) for which the member is a senator; or
(ii) in which the member’s electorate is located.
Note: For family reunion purposes, see section 6.
(2) Transport costs for travel by scheduled commercial transport are prescribed.
(3) Any additional transport costs for a family member to travel with the member by unscheduled commercial transport are prescribed.
Note 1: For annual limits on the use of transport costs prescribed by this section, see section 29.
Note 2: Other provisions of this instrument also prescribe transport costs and fares for family reunion purposes.
Family members for whom costs are not prescribed by this section
(4) This section does not prescribe transport costs for:
(a) a family member of a senator for the Australian Capital Territory; or
(b) a family member of a member whose electorate is in the Australian Capital Territory; or
(c) the spouse of a senior office holder.
Note: For travel by the spouse of a senior office holder, see sections 24 and 28.
17 Australia‑wide family reunion travel
(1) For each financial year, a total of 3 return fares are prescribed for family members of a member to travel for family reunion purposes.
(2) The fares may be used by any family member for travel by scheduled commercial transport at no higher than business class.
(2A) In addition to the fares covered by subsection (1), a total of 3 return fares for each financial year are prescribed for the dependent children of a member who is a single parent of the children to travel for family reunion purposes.
(2B) The fares covered by subsection (2A) may be used by any of those dependent children for travel by scheduled commercial transport at no higher than business class.
(3) If a return fare prescribed by this section is not required for particular travel, a one‑way fare may be used.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a one‑way fare counts as half of a return fare.
Note: A fare prescribed by this section may be exchanged for travel with the member by unscheduled commercial transport: see section 20.
Family members for whom fares are not prescribed by this section
(5) This section does not prescribe fares for the spouse of a senior office holder.
Note: For travel by the spouse of a senior office holder, see sections 24 and 28.
18 Fares for dependent children of certain senior office holders for family reunion purposes
(1) For each financial year, 3 return fares are prescribed for each dependent child of a senior office holder (other than a Parliamentary Secretary) to travel between places in the office holder’s electorate and Canberra for family reunion purposes.
(2) The fares may be used for travel by scheduled commercial transport at no higher than economy class.
(3) If a return fare prescribed by this section is not required for particular travel, a one‑way fare may be used.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a one‑way fare counts as half of a return fare.
Note: A fare prescribed by this section may be exchanged for travel with the senior office holder by unscheduled commercial transport: see section 20.
19 Additional travel for dependent children of certain senior office holders for family reunion purposes
(1) The fares prescribed by this section are prescribed subject to the condition that the Minister approves the travel concerned as reasonably necessary for family reunion purposes.
(2) For each financial year, for each dependent child of a senior office holder (other than a Parliamentary Secretary), fares for travel as follows are prescribed for family reunion purposes:
(a) one visit to any place in Australia;
(b) travel between the child’s home base and Canberra to attend parliamentary functions attended by the senior office holder or the senior office holder’s spouse;
(c) travel between the child’s home base and Canberra when the senior office holder or the senior office holder’s spouse is in Canberra for lengthy periods.
(3) The travel must be by scheduled commercial transport and:
(a) if the child travels with the senior office holder, or the senior office holder’s spouse—at no higher than the same class as the senior office holder or the senior office holder’s spouse; or
(b) otherwise—at no higher than economy class.
Note: A fare prescribed by this section may be exchanged for travel with the senior office holder by unscheduled commercial transport: see section 20.
20 Certain fares may be exchanged for travel with member by unscheduled commercial transport
(1) Additional transport costs are prescribed for a family member of a member to travel with the member by unscheduled commercial transport for family reunion purposes during a financial year if:
(a) transport costs for the member’s travel are prescribed by this instrument; and
(b) there are additional transport costs for the family member to travel with the member; and
(c) a fare is available for the family member under section 17, 18 or 19 for the financial year; and
(d) the fare is exchanged for the additional costs.
(2) The travel may be on a return journey, or a one‑way journey.
(3) For the purposes of sections 17, 18 and 19, a one‑way journey counts as half of a return fare.
Note: More than one fare may be exchanged under this section for travel with the member by unscheduled commercial transport during a financial year.
21 Accompanying infants and carers
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a member is travelling interstate for the dominant purpose of conducting the member’s parliamentary business; and
(b) the member is the mother of a child up to 12 months old; and
(c) there are no further fares available for the member’s family under section 17 (Australia‑wide family reunion travel).
(2) The following transport costs are prescribed:
(a) transport costs (if any) required for the child to accompany or join the member;
(b) transport costs for a family member of the member to accompany the child in order to assist the member in caring for the child.
(3) If the child is travelling with the member:
(a) the child may use the same method of transport and travel at the same class as the member; and
(b) the family member may use the same method of transport as the member but, if there are different fare classes, must travel at economy class.
(4) If the child is travelling to join the member, the travel for the child and the family member must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport at no higher than economy class; or
(b) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
22 Travel as member’s representative
(1) Transport costs for travel by a member’s spouse or nominee are prescribed if:
(a) the travel is for the dominant purpose of attending any of the following events as the member’s representative:
(i) a funeral;
(ii) a function at which the member was to receive an award or honour;
(iii) a function in the member’s electorate that the member was invited to attend; and
(b) the member is unable to attend the event because of illness, parliamentary business or family reasons; and
(c) the member’s attendance would have been for the dominant purpose of conducting the member’s parliamentary business.
(2) The travel must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport; or
(b) taxi or other chartered transport car service; or
(c) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
Spouses for whom transport costs are not prescribed by this section
(3) This section does not prescribe transport costs for the spouse of a senior office holder.
Note: For travel by the spouse of a senior office holder, see sections 24 and 28.
23 Travel as official invitee
(1) Transport costs are prescribed for the spouse or nominee of a member to attend, by invitation, an official government, parliamentary or vice‑regal function.
(2) If the spouse or nominee travels with the member, the family member may use the same method of transport as the member.
(3) If the spouse or nominee does not travel with the member, the travel must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport; or
(b) taxi or other chartered transport car service; or
(c) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
24 Travel as spouse of senior office holder
Travel to attend engagements
(1) Transport costs are prescribed for the spouse of a senior office holder to attend an engagement if the spouse is invited (either with or without the senior office holder) to attend the engagement in the spouse’s capacity as the spouse of a senior office holder.
Travel for family reunion purposes
(2) Transport costs are prescribed for the spouse of a senior office holder to travel for family reunion purposes.
Travel as senior office holder’s representative
(3) Transport costs are prescribed for the spouse of a senior office holder for travel as mentioned in subsection 22(1) (travel as member’s representative).
Type of travel
(4) If the spouse travels with the senior office holder, the spouse may use the same method of transport as the senior office holder.
(5) If the spouse does not travel with the senior office holder, the travel must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport; or
(b) taxi or other chartered transport car service; or
(c) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
25 Incidental transport costs
(1) This section applies if transport costs (including fares) are prescribed by this Subdivision for travel (the covered travel) by a family member of a member.
(2) Transport costs are prescribed for travel by the family member that is incidental to covered travel.
(3) The incidental travel must be one or more of the following:
(a) travel for the purposes of commencing or completing a journey that includes the covered travel;
(b) travel by the member’s spouse or nominee between the spouse or nominee’s accommodation in Canberra and Parliament House.
(4) The incidental travel must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport; or
(b) hired car, taxi or other chartered transport car service; or
(c) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
26 Parking fees for vehicles used for incidental transport
(1) This section applies if transport costs (including fares) are prescribed by this Subdivision for travel (the covered travel) by a family member of a member.
(2) Parking fees are prescribed for a private vehicle or private plated vehicle used by the family member for travel for the purpose of commencing or completing the journey that includes the covered travel.
Subdivision B—Travel allowances
27 Family member private vehicle allowance—travel to Canberra
(1) For the purposes of subsection 31(1) of the Act, an allowance (the family member private vehicle allowance) is prescribed for fuel and running costs for a family member of a member to travel to or from Canberra in the family member’s private vehicle for family reunion purposes.
Note 1: The private vehicle could be owned by another family member: see the definition of private vehicle in section 4.
Note 2: The rate of family member private vehicle allowance is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal: see subsections 31(2) and 45(1) of the Act.
(2) The travel by private vehicle may be for the whole or part of the journey.
Note: For annual limits on the use of transport costs prescribed by this section, see section 29.
Exchanging fares for allowance
(3) If a fare is available under section 17 or 18 for a family member for a financial year, the fare may be exchanged for family member private vehicle allowance.
(4) For the purposes of sections 17 and 18, a one‑way journey to or from Canberra counts as half of a return fare.
(5) If a fare is exchanged for family member private vehicle allowance, the amount of the allowance is not required to be counted for the purposes of the limit set out in section 29.
Note: More than one fare may be exchanged under subsection (4) during a financial year.
Allowance for some family members is available only if fare is exchanged
(6) Family member private vehicle allowance is available to the following only if a fare is exchanged under subsection (3):
(a) a family member of a senator for the Australian Capital Territory;
(b) a family member of a member of the House of Representatives whose electorate is in the Australian Capital Territory.
When section does not apply
(7) This section does not prescribe family member private vehicle allowance for the spouse of a senior office holder.
Note: For travel by the spouse of a senior office holder, see sections 24 and 28.
28 Senior office holder spouse private vehicle allowance—travel to Canberra
(1) For the purposes of subsection 31(1) of the Act, an allowance (the senior office holder spouse private vehicle allowance) is prescribed for fuel and running costs for the spouse of a senior office holder to travel to or from Canberra in the spouse’s private vehicle for family reunion purposes.
Note 1: The private vehicle could be owned by another family member: see the definition of private vehicle in section 4.
Note 2: The rate of senior office holder spouse private vehicle allowance is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal: see subsections 31(2) and 45(1) of the Act.
(2) The travel by private vehicle may be for the whole or part of the journey.
Subdivision C—Limit on certain costs
29 Limit on certain costs
(1) The total of the costs that can be claimed by a member for a financial year under the following provisions is limited:
(a) section 16 (family reunion travel to Canberra and within local area);
(b) section 22 (travel as member’s representative);
(c) section 27 (family member private vehicle allowance—travel to Canberra).
Note 1: Family member private vehicle allowance claimed in exchange for a fare under section 17 or 18 is not counted for the purposes of this section: see subsection 27(6).
Note 2: Transport costs for incidental travel prescribed by section 25 (incidental transport costs) are not counted for the purposes of this section.
Working out the limit
(2) The limit is the sum of the following:
(a) the value of 9 business class return airfares for the member’s spouse or nominee to travel from the spouse or nominee’s home base airport to Canberra;
(b) the value of 3 economy class return airfares for each dependent child of the member to travel from the child’s home base airport to Canberra.
Note: The spouse of a senior office holder is included for the purposes of working out this limit.
(3) If the home base for a spouse or nominee, or a dependent child, is within 150 km of Parliament House by road, the limit is to be calculated on the basis of return airfares from Sydney to Canberra.
(4) The value of the airfares for a financial year is to be determined by IPEA based on the reasonable costs of airfares during the latter part of the previous financial year.
When limit is determined
(5) The limit is to be determined by IPEA at the beginning of the financial year based on information provided by the member.
(6) Once determined, the limit is fixed for the financial year, despite changes in the member’s family circumstances during the year.
Note: If a person becomes a member during the year, the limit is pro‑rated under section 53 of the Act.
Division 3—Cost recovered travel by unscheduled commercial transport
30 Members
(1) This section applies if a member travels within Australia, and the member:
(a) would be able to claim transport costs prescribed by this instrument for the travel; but
(b) would not otherwise be able to claim additional transport costs to use unscheduled commercial transport for the travel.
(2) For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, any additional transport costs for the member, and any person travelling with the member, to travel by unscheduled commercial transport are prescribed if the additional costs are covered by a transport costs undertaking.
31 Persons travelling with members
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a member travels by unscheduled commercial transport within Australia; and
(b) transport costs for the member’s travel are prescribed by this instrument.
(2) For the purposes of section 30 of the Act, any additional transport costs for one or more persons to travel with the member are prescribed if the additional costs are covered by a transport costs undertaking.
32 Transport costs undertakings
(1) A person (including a member) may undertake to reimburse the Commonwealth for transport costs for travel by unscheduled commercial transport by one or more of the following:
(a) a member;
(b) one or more persons travelling with a member.
(2) To avoid doubt, the undertaking (the transport costs undertaking):
(a) may be made whether or not there are additional transport costs for a member or one or more other persons for the travel; and
(b) if there are such additional transport costs for the travel—may cover transport costs in excess of the additional costs.
(3) The transport costs undertaking must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) include the amount of the transport costs to be reimbursed to the Commonwealth; and
(c) be signed, before the transport costs for the travel are claimed, by the person making the undertaking.
Note: Claim includes the incurring of expenses that are payable by the Commonwealth: see the definition of claim in section 5 of the Act.
Transport costs are a debt due to the Commonwealth
(4) The transport costs covered by the transport costs undertaking:
(a) are a debt due to the Commonwealth by the person who made the undertaking; and
(b) may be recovered, on behalf of the Commonwealth, by the resources provider by action in a relevant court.
33 Effect of undertakings on cost limits
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a member claims transport costs prescribed by this instrument for travel by unscheduled commercial transport; and
(b) use by the member of such transport costs is limited; and
(c) transport costs for the travel are covered by a transport costs undertaking.
(2) The costs covered by the transport costs undertaking do not count towards the limit for the member for the financial year concerned.
Note: This section is relevant for the limits set out in section 14 (large electorates) and section 29 (limit on certain costs for travel by family members).
Division 4—International travel
Subdivision A—Preliminary
34 Purpose of Division
For the purposes of sections 30 and 31 of the Act, this Division prescribes travel expenses and travel allowances for the purposes of international travel.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for expenses and allowances prescribed by this Division for persons other than spouses accompanying members.
35 Meaning of international travel expenses
(1) International travel expenses means the following:
(a) transport costs for travel by scheduled commercial transport;
(b) transport costs for travel by unscheduled commercial transport within and between other countries;
(c) transport costs for travel by Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination;
(d) accommodation costs (but not separate accommodation for a spouse);
(e) meal costs;
(f) pre‑travel medical expenses such as vaccinations;
(g) medical supplies (such as medicine or a first aid kit);
(h) emergency medical, dental or hospital expenses;
(i) for members and staff members, and for medical doctors accompanying the Prime Minister—official or diplomatic passports (including the costs of obtaining visas and photographs);
(j) for members—laundry and dry cleaning;
(k) for staff members, and for medical doctors accompanying the Prime Minister:
(i) premiums for insurance for baggage and personal effects up to an insured value of $5,000; and
(ii) if a claim is made on the insurance—any excess payable in relation to the claim; and
(iii) for travel lasting at least 7 days—laundry and dry cleaning;
(l) taxes, booking fees and other costs normally associated with expenses covered by paragraphs (d) to (k).
Certain vehicles not included
(2) Transport costs covered by paragraph (1)(b) (unscheduled commercial transport within and between other countries) do not include costs for travel in vehicles:
(a) required for the purposes of security; or
(b) available for the use of Australian diplomatic personnel at diplomatic posts.
Note: Such vehicles are provided otherwise than under the Act.
Limits for spouse travel
(3) For a spouse accompanying a member on international travel, transport costs for travel by commercial transport may be used only for the purposes of:
(a) accompanying the member; or
(b) engaging in a spouse program.
36 Transport costs for incidental travel within Australia
(1) This section applies if, in relation to international travel, transport costs for incidental travel within Australia are prescribed for a person other than a member.
(2) The transport costs are prescribed for the purposes of enabling the person to commence or complete the journey that includes the international travel.
(3) The travel must be by:
(a) scheduled commercial transport; or
(b) taxi or other chartered transport car service; or
(c) Commonwealth transport in accordance with a Commonwealth transport determination.
Note: Transport costs for incidental travel by members within Australia are available under Division 1.
37 Valuing first class round‑the‑world airfares
(1) For the purposes of this Division, the value of a first class round‑the‑world airfare for a financial year is to be determined by IPEA.
(2) The determination must be made using reasonable costs of first class airfares during the latter part of the previous financial year.
Subdivision B—Travel and approvals—presiding officers
38 Requirement for approval
(1) An expense (however described) prescribed by this Subdivision for a person (other than a presiding officer) is prescribed subject to the condition:
(a) that the travel by the person has been approved by the presiding officer concerned; or
(b) for an expense in excess of the limit set out in subsection 41(1)—that the expense, or the travel by the person, has been approved by the Prime Minister.
Note: The limit set out in subsection 41(1) does not apply in relation to expenses or travel approved by the Prime Minister: see subsection 41(3).
(2) An expense for a spouse or staff member accompanying a member (including a presiding officer) is also prescribed subject to the condition that if, during the travel, the spouse or staff member undertakes substantial travel (the independent travel) other than by travelling with the member, the independent travel has been expressly approved by:
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies—the presiding officer; or
(b) for travel approved by the Prime Minister as mentioned in subsection 41(3)—the Prime Minister.
Note: A person travels with a member if the person travels in the same vehicle, or on the same vessel or aircraft (or other conveyance) as the member: see section 7.
39 Travel by presiding officers
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a presiding officer.
The presiding officer and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the presiding officer;
(b) if the presiding officer’s spouse accompanies the presiding officer—one staff member accompanying the presiding officer;
(c) if the presiding officer’s spouse does not accompany the presiding officer—up to 2 staff members accompanying the presiding officer.
Spouse of the presiding officer
(3) For the spouse of the presiding officer to accompany the presiding officer, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
40 Member representing presiding officer—approval by presiding officer
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member representing a presiding officer.
Member and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the member;
(b) if the member’s spouse accompanies the member—one staff member accompanying the member;
(c) if the member’s spouse does not accompany the member—up to 2 staff members accompanying the member.
Accompanying spouse
(3) For the spouse of the member to accompany the member, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
41 Limit on certain expenses
(1) International travel expenses prescribed by this Subdivision are limited to a total of $250,000 for a presiding officer for a financial year.
Note: Costs for incidental travel within Australia prescribed by this Subdivision are not included for the purposes of the limit.
(2) The limit applies to the office of presiding officer, not to the individual holding the office at a particular time.
(3) However, the limit does not apply in relation to an expense prescribed by this Subdivision if the expense or the travel concerned has been approved by the Prime Minister.
Subdivision C—Travel and approvals—Prime Minister
42 Requirements for approval
Travel must be approved by the Prime Minister
(1) An expense (however described) prescribed by this Subdivision for a person (other than the Prime Minister) is prescribed subject to the condition that the travel by the person has been approved by the Prime Minister.
(2) An expense for a spouse or staff member accompanying a member (including the Prime Minister) is also prescribed subject to the condition that if, during the travel, the spouse or staff member undertakes substantial travel (the independent travel) other than by travelling with the member, the independent travel has been expressly approved by the Prime Minister.
Note: A person travels with a member if the person travels in the same vehicle, or on the same vessel or aircraft (or other conveyance) as the member: see section 7.
(3) An expense for a spouse accompanying a member is also prescribed subject to the condition that if, during the travel, the spouse attends a spouse program, the attendance has been expressly approved by the Prime Minister.
When travel by one staff member is taken to have been approved
(4) If the Prime Minister approves international travel under this Subdivision by the Leader or Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives for the purposes of representing Australia, the Prime Minister is taken to have approved travel by one staff member accompanying the Leader or Deputy Leader.
43 Travel by Prime Minister
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister, staff and other persons
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the Prime Minister;
(b) staff members:
(i) accompanying the Prime Minister; or
(ii) travelling in advance of the Prime Minister for the purposes of the international travel;
(c) a medical doctor accompanying the Prime Minister;
(d) an interpreter accompanying the Prime Minister.
(3) For a medical doctor accompanying the Prime Minister, the following are prescribed:
(a) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia;
(b) costs of accommodation and meals, and incidental expenses incurred, within Australia to the extent that they are reasonably required for the medical doctor to commence or complete the journey that includes the international travel.
Accompanying spouse
(4) For the spouse of the Prime Minister to accompany the Prime Minister, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
Additional expenses for the Prime Minister
(5) Expenses for resources reasonably required for the conduct of the Prime Minister’s official duties during international travel, including the following, are prescribed:
(a) hiring office space, office equipment or other premises or facilities;
(b) facilities and services for the use of information and communications technology (other than mobile telecommunications or mobile internet devices or services);
(c) interpreters or other specialist services;
(d) hospitality;
(e) newspapers and other consumables;
(f) booking and cancellation fees;
(g) other associated fees and charges.
44 Other Ministers—approval by Prime Minister
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a Minister (including a Parliamentary Secretary).
The Minister and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the Minister;
(b) staff members accompanying the Minister.
Accompanying spouse
(3) For the spouse of the Minister to accompany the Minister, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
45 Members representing Ministers—approval by Prime Minister
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member (the representative, who may be a Minister) representing the Prime Minister or another Minister.
The representative and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the representative;
(b) one staff member accompanying the representative.
Accompanying spouse
(3) For the spouse of the representative to accompany the representative, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
46 Member representing the government or Australia—approval by Prime Minister
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member who is representing the government or Australia.
The member and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the member;
(b) one staff member accompanying the member.
Accompanying spouse
(3) For the spouse of the member to accompany the member, the following are prescribed:
(a) international travel expenses;
(b) transport costs for incidental travel within Australia.
Subdivision D—Travel and approvals—Leader of the Opposition
47 Requirement for approval
An expense (however described) prescribed by this Subdivision for a person (other than the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives) is prescribed subject to the condition that the travel by the person has been approved by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.
48 Travel by Leader of the Opposition
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.
The Leader and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the Leader;
(b) up to 2 staff members accompanying the Leader.
49 Member of the Opposition—approval by Leader of the Opposition
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member of the Opposition.
The member and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the member;
(b) up to 2 staff members accompanying the member.
50 Limit on certain expenses
(1) International travel expenses prescribed by this Subdivision for a financial year are limited to a total of the value of 4 first class round‑the‑world airfares.
Note: Section 37 provides for IPEA to determine the value of a first class round‑the‑world airfare.
Adjusting the limit
(2) If, during the financial year, a person becomes the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives because the person’s party becomes the Opposition or a part of the Opposition, the limit is to be adjusted in accordance with the following formula:
start formula Limit for the financial year times start fraction Number of days left in the financial year after the party becomes the Opposition over 365 end fraction end formula.
(3) An adjusted limit must be rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Expenses of one staff member may be disregarded
(4) For the purposes of this section, the international travel expenses of one staff member accompanying a senior office holder may be disregarded.
Subdivision E—Travel and approvals—leader of a minority party
51 Requirement for approval
An expense (however described) prescribed by this Subdivision for a person (other than the leader of a minority party) is prescribed subject to the condition that the travel by the person has been approved by the leader of the minority party concerned.
52 Travel by leader of a minority party
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by the leader of a minority party.
The leader and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the leader;
(b) up to 2 staff members accompanying the leader.
53 Member of a minority party—approval by leader of the minority party
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member of a minority party.
The member and staff
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the following:
(a) the member;
(b) up to 2 staff members accompanying the member.
54 Limit on certain expenses
(1) International travel expenses prescribed by this Subdivision for a financial year are limited to a total of the value of one first class round‑the‑world airfare.
Note: Section 37 provides for IPEA to determine the value of a first class round‑the‑world airfare.
Adjusting the limit
(2) If, during the financial year, a person becomes the leader of a minority party because the person’s party becomes a minority party, the limit is to be adjusted in accordance with the following formula:
start formula Limit for the financial year times start fraction Number of days left in the financial year after the party becomes a minority party over 365 end fraction end formula.
(3) An adjusted limit must be rounded up to the nearest dollar.
Expenses of one staff member may be disregarded
(4) For the purposes of this section, the international travel expenses of one staff member accompanying the leader of the minority party may be disregarded.
Subdivision F—Travel and approvals—parliamentary delegations
55 Requirement for approval
(1) An expense (however described) prescribed by this Subdivision for a person is prescribed subject to the condition that the travel by the person has been approved by both presiding officers.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the following:
(a) international travel expenses prescribed by subsection 56(3) (extended travel);
(b) airfares (or contributions towards airfares) prescribed by subsection 56(4) (spouse travel).
(3) An international travel expense prescribed by subsection 56(3) (extended travel) for a member is prescribed subject to the condition that the additional travel by the member has been approved by the Minister.
56 Member of parliamentary delegation—approval by presiding officers
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by a member of a parliamentary delegation (other than an Inter‑Parliamentary Union or Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation).
Note: Travel expenses for a member of an Inter‑Parliamentary Union or Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation may be provided otherwise than under the Act.
The member
(2) International travel expenses are prescribed for the member.
Extended travel for member
(3) International travel expenses are prescribed for the member to include additional travel if the conditions in subsection (5) are met.
Spouse
(4) Airfares (or contributions towards airfares) are prescribed for the spouse of the member to accompany the member if the conditions in subsection (5) are met.
Conditions for additional travel and airfares for spouse
(5) The conditions are:
(a) that the member makes a saving by travelling on airfares that cost less than airfares that may otherwise be claimed for travel by the member as part of the delegation; and
(b) that the combined cost of the following do not exceed the saving made by the member:
(i) any international travel expenses for additional travel by the member;
(ii) any airfares (or contributions towards airfares) for the member’s spouse to accompany the member.
57 Parliamentary delegations—meeting facilities and hospitality
(1) This section applies in relation to international travel by members of a parliamentary delegation (other than an Inter‑Parliamentary Union or Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation).
(2) Expenses for the following for the purposes of the travel are prescribed:
(a) facilities and services necessary for meetings of the delegation;
(b) official hospitality, up to a maximum for the delegation of:
(i) if a presiding officer leads the delegation—$5,000; or
(ii) if not—$2,500.
Subdivision G—International travel allowances
58 Operation of Subdivision
(1) This Subdivision prescribes travel allowances for international travel by specified persons.
(2) The travel allowances are not payable unless international travel expenses for the international travel concerned are prescribed:
(a) under this Division; and
(b) for international travel meal allowance—under Subdivision B or F.
59 International travel incidentals allowance
(1) An allowance for incidental expenses (the international travel incidentals allowance) is prescribed for the following for each day (or part day) on which the person is outside Australia:
(a) a member;
(b) a staff member;
(c) a medical doctor accompanying the Prime Minister.
(2) The rate of international travel incidentals allowance is:
(a) for a member—$63 per day; or
(b) for a staff member or medical doctor—$40 per day.
60 International travel equipment allowance
(1) An allowance for equipment and clothing (the international travel equipment allowance) is prescribed for the following:
(a) a member;
(b) a staff member;
(c) a medical doctor accompanying the Prime Minister.
(2) The amount of an international travel equipment allowance is $430, but is not payable to a particular person more than once in any period of 36 consecutive months.
61 International travel meal allowance
(1) An allowance for meals (the international travel meal allowance) is prescribed for the following:
(a) a member;
(b) a staff member.
Note: International travel meal allowance is available only if international travel expenses for the international travel concerned are prescribed under Subdivision B or F: see subsection 58(2).
(2) The amount of an international travel meal allowance for a particular person for particular travel is the amount determined by IPEA having regard to the following:
(a) the amount of international travel expenses provided to the person for meals for the travel;
(b) meals provided for the person for the travel otherwise than under this instrument;
(c) any other matters IPEA considers relevant.
Division 5—Travel by Commonwealth transport
62 Provision of Commonwealth transport
For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, Commonwealth transport is prescribed.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to public resources prescribed by this section.
63 Use of Commonwealth transport
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(7) of the Act, a determination providing for Commonwealth transport may provide as mentioned in this section.
When Commonwealth transport may be made available
(2) The determination may set out one or more of the following:
(a) the circumstances in which Commonwealth transport may be available for use by:
(i) a member; or
(ii) a family member of a member; or
(iii) a person travelling with the member;
(b) the circumstances in which costs for travel, by a member or another person, by Commonwealth transport are to be:
(i) deducted from a budget, limit or other amount prescribed by this instrument (including a budget, limit or other amount prescribed for another kind of transport); or
(ii) reimbursed by the member or another person;
(c) if costs are to be deducted or reimbursed—the amount of the costs, or a method for determining the costs.
(3) The circumstances in which Commonwealth transport may be made available under paragraph (2)(a) are not limited by other provisions of this instrument.
Ensuring value for money
(4) If the determination provides for another Minister to approve the use of Commonwealth transport, the determination may specify matters to be considered by the other Minister in deciding whether to approve the use, including the following:
(a) the nature of the related parliamentary business;
(b) the availability and cost of other transport options;
(c) any security concerns around the use of other transport options;
(d) other matters relevant to whether the use would provide value for money.
When Commonwealth transport must be used
(5) The determination may set out circumstances in which Commonwealth transport must be used.
(6) If the Administrator considers it appropriate to do so, the Administrator may refuse to approve a claim in relation to travel by other means in those circumstances.
Effect of this section
(7) This section does not limit the matters that may be dealt with by the determination.
Division 5A—Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicles
63A Provision of a Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle
For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, the following are prescribed:
(a) a vehicle (the Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle) without a driver provided for use by a member in and around Canberra;
(b) expenses for the usual costs of maintaining and operating the Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle, including for fuel, servicing, parking and insurance.
63B Use of a Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(7) of the Act, a determination providing for a Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle may provide as mentioned in this section.
Use of a Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle
(2) The determination may set out one or more of the following:
(a) the circumstances in which a person other than the member may drive or travel in the Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle;
(b) arrangements for, or conditions relating to, the garaging of the vehicle;
(c) security measures to be taken in relation to the vehicle;
(d) contributions to be made for the use of the vehicle;
(e) any other matters in relation to the use of the vehicle that the Minister thinks appropriate.
Restrictions on use of other transport
(3) The determination may set out conditions (including restrictions) on the use of other forms of travel, travel expenses or allowances prescribed by this instrument in circumstances in which the member could reasonably use the Canberra‑based self‑drive vehicle.
(4) If the Administrator considers it appropriate to do so, the Administrator may refuse to approve a claim in relation to travel by other means in those circumstances.
Effect of this section
(5) This section does not limit the matters that may be dealt with by the determination.
Division 6—Miscellaneous
64 Expenses for travel that spans financial years
For the purposes of this Part:
(a) an expense for a fare (whether one‑way or return) is taken to have been incurred in the financial year in which travel on the fare commenced; and
(b) an expense or allowance for a leg of travel by unscheduled transport is taken to have been incurred in the financial year in which the leg of travel commenced; and
(c) an expense or allowance for an overnight stay is taken to have been incurred in the financial year in which the overnight stay commenced; and
(d) an international travel allowance paid for international travel is taken to have been paid for the financial year in which the travel commenced.
65 Costs relating to cancelled travel
For the purposes of section 30 of the Act and subsection 32(1) of the Act, expenses incurred for cancelling travel arrangements are prescribed if any expenses for the travel could have been claimed under the Act.
Part 3—Work expenses and other public resources
66 Office expenses
(1) For the purposes of subsection 32(1) of the Act, expenses (the office expenses) for the following are prescribed for the conduct of a member’s parliamentary business:
(a) printing on:
(i) paper weighing no more than 700 grams per square metre; or
(ii) flat magnetised material;
(aa) print binding and finishing for printing covered by subparagraph (a)(i);
(b) producing electronic material;
(c) producing and maintaining audio posters;
(d) creating matter for inclusion in printed or electronic material or an audio poster, including translation, design, artwork, photography and video and sound recordings;
(e) communicating and distributing printed and electronic material and audio posters;
(f) establishing and maintaining websites;
(g) printing and distributing postal vote applications, including reply paid envelopes;
(h) flags and documents related to nationhood, of kinds approved by the Minister, for presentation to constituents or organisations;
(ha) wreaths;
(i) office stationery and supplies;
(j) minor office equipment, including accessories, consumables, repairs and maintenance;
(k) accessories for information and communications technology (such as storage devices, portable power banks and camera lenses for mobile devices);
(l) software, including associated servicing, training and backup services;
(la) cloud‑based services, including storage and software;
(m) purchasing publications (whether printed or electronic);
(n) courier or other freight transfer costs for transferring documents and other small items between the member’s offices;
(o) mobile office signage, and mobile office facilities and equipment;
(p) conducting virtual town hall meetings by electronic communication;
(pa) conducting interactive voice response phone surveys;
(pb) short messaging service (SMS) broadcasting and survey services;
(pc) information and communications technology and services provided by the Department of Parliamentary Services;
(pd) with the approval of the Minister, other resources or expenses reasonably required for the conduct of the member’s parliamentary business;
(q) incidental fees and charges associated with the provision of resources covered by paragraphs (a) to (pd), such as transaction, administration and delivery fees or charges.
Note 1: See also subsections (2B) and (2C).
Note 2: The restrictions in subsections (2) to (5) apply only in relation to the use of the office expenses prescribed by this subsection. This section does not operate to limit the way any other public resources may be used for conducting a member’s parliamentary business, the activities of the member or the meaning of parliamentary business in section 6 of the Act.
(2) Office expenses must not be used to pay for production or placement of content for broadcasting on television.
(2A) Office expenses must not be used to pay for production or placement of content for broadcasting on radio unless:
(a) the member is a member of the House of Representatives; and
(b) the electorate which the member represents has a demographic rating of Provincial or Rural, as given by the Australian Electoral Commission; and
(c) the office expenses are so used by the member in relation to broadcasting services (other than in the Australian Capital Territory) by the licensee of:
(i) a regional commercial radio broadcasting licence; or
(ii) a regional community radio broadcasting licence; or
(iii) a class licence under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 for the provision of an open narrowcasting radio service (within the meaning of that Act); and
(d) one of the following subparagraphs applies:
(i) for a regional commercial radio broadcasting licence—the regional licence area of the regional commercial radio broadcasting licence is, in whole or in part, the same as the area of the electorate which the member represents;
(ii) for a regional community radio broadcasting licence—the regional licence area of the regional community radio broadcasting licence is, in whole or in part, the same as the area of the electorate which the member represents;
(iii) for a licence mentioned in subparagraph (c)(iii)—the coverage area of the open narrowcasting radio service is, in whole or in part, the same as the area of the electorate which the member represents; and
(e) the total of the office expenses so used by the member during a financial year does not exceed one‑third of the maximum amount payable for office expenses for the member for the year.
Note 1: For the demographic rating of electorates, see the Australian Electoral Commission’s website, http://www.aec.gov.au.
Note 2: For the maximum amount payable for office expenses for a member for a financial year, see section 67.
(2B) A member may not enter into a cost sharing arrangement with one or more other members for office expenses used by the member as mentioned in subsection (2A).
(2C) However, if a member enters into a cost sharing arrangement with one or more other members for office expenses (other than as prohibited by subsection (2B)), each member who is a party to the cost sharing arrangement may only claim the member’s proportion of the office expenses incurred.
(3) Office expenses must not be used to produce, communicate or distribute material that:
(a) solicits any of the following:
(i) a vote for a person other than the member;
(ii) subscriptions or other financial or non‑financial support (other than volunteering) for a member, political party or candidate;
(iii) applications for or renewals of membership in a political party; or
(b) provides instruction on how to complete a ballot paper.
(4) Office expenses must not be used to produce, communicate or distribute any material that includes an advertisement pursuing a commercial purpose of:
(a) the member; or
(b) another person or an entity, unless the other person or the entity is:
(i) registered under the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012 as the type of entity mentioned in column 1 of item 1 of the table in subsection 25‑5(5) of that Act; or
(ii) a public fund established for emergency relief or similar assistance.
Note: A commercial purpose is a purpose relating to the derivation of financial gain or reward (see section 5 of the Act).
(4A) To avoid doubt, material does not include an advertisement pursuing a commercial purpose merely because the material includes a reference to a person or entity if the purpose of including the reference is not to promote the person or entity.
Note: Example: Material that includes a commercial entity’s logo is not material including an advertisement pursuing a commercial purpose if the purpose of including the logo is not to promote the entity.
(5) Office expenses must not be used to pay for postage stamps or stamped envelopes, other than those provided by a Department of the Parliament established under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for expenses prescribed by this section.
67 Annual budget for office expenses
Senators
(1) For a senator, the maximum amount payable for office expenses is:
(a) for the 2017‑2018 financial year—$107,331.24; or
(b) for a later financial year—that amount indexed in accordance with section 102.
Members of the House of Representatives
(2) For a member of the House of Representatives, the maximum amount payable for office expenses is:
(a) for the 2017‑2018 financial year—the amount worked out as the office budget for the member for the financial year under regulation 3ED of the Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations 1997 (as in force immediately before the commencement of this subsection); or
(b) for a later financial year—the sum of the following amounts indexed in accordance with section 102 as if the amounts were first paid in the 2017‑2018 financial year:
(i) $134,099.34;
(ii) $1 for each enrolled voter in the member’s electorate.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the number of enrolled voters in the member’s electorate for the financial year is:
(a) the number of the enrolled voters in the electorate at the end of 31 March in the previous financial year (using the boundaries of the electorate at the last general election); or
(b) if the electorate did not exist at the end of 31 March in the previous financial year—the number of enrolled voters in the electorate as at the next close of the electoral roll for that electorate.
Other members
(4) For a member who is not a senator or a member of the House of Representatives, the amount payable for office expenses is zero.
Calculations for the purposes of this section
(5) For the purposes of this section, an indexed amount must be rounded up to the nearest cent.
68 Postage costs for official duties
For the purposes of subsection 32(1) of the Act, postage expenses for the purposes of conducting official duties are prescribed for the following:
(a) a senior office holder who is a member of the Opposition;
(b) the leader of a minority party.
Note 1: Section 6 of the Act defines official duties for office holders and Ministers.
Note 2: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for expenses prescribed by this section.
69 Photographic services
(1) For the purposes of subsection 32(2) of the Act, 2 sessions of photographic services at Parliament House are prescribed for a member for a financial year.
(2) The photographic services are available:
(a) on request to the Department of Parliamentary Services; and
(b) as arranged between the member and the Department of Parliamentary Services.
(3) For the purposes of subsection 32(2) of the Act, additional sessions of photographic services at Parliament House are prescribed for members:
(a) subject to availability; and
(b) on request to, and at the discretion of, the Department of Parliamentary Services.
(4) The cost of photographic services for all members for a financial year is limited to a combined total of $250,000.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for public resources prescribed by this section.
70 Chamber flags
(1) For the purposes of subsection 32(2) of the Act, the following are prescribed for members for presentation to constituents or organisations:
(a) flags that were hung, on a sitting day, for or in a chamber of a House of the Parliament;
(b) certificates stating the flags were hung for or in that chamber.
(2) Flags and certificates are provided under this section:
(a) subject to availability; and
(b) on request to, and at the discretion of, the Serjeant‑at‑Arms or Usher of the Black Rod.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for public resources prescribed by this section.
71 Leasing expenses for additional offices for certain members
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a member of the House of Representatives has:
(i) an electorate with an area of at least 5,000 km2; or
(ii) both the approval of the Special Minister of State for the purposes of this subparagraph and an electorate with an area of at least 3,500 km2 but less than 5,000 km2; and
(b) the member leases an office in the electorate for a term of not less than 3 months; and
(c) the office is, or is part of, a permanent building; and
(d) the member leases the office in the member’s personal capacity; and
(e) the office is used for the dominant purpose of conducting the member’s parliamentary business.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 32(2) of the Act, the following maximum amount is prescribed to reimburse the member for costs (including GST) incurred by the member to lease, operate, maintain, establish or vacate the office:
(a) if the member’s electorate has an area of less than 25,000 km2:
(i) for the 2017‑2018 financial year—$50,000; or
(ii) for a later financial year—that amount indexed in accordance with section 102;
(b) if the member’s electorate has an area of 25,000 km2 or more:
(i) for the 2017‑2018 financial year—$20,000; or
(ii) for a later financial year—that amount indexed in accordance with section 102.
(3) An indexed amount for a later financial year must be rounded up to the nearest cent.
(4) This section does not apply in relation to any cost to lease, operate or maintain the office that would give rise to any ownership or residual value held by the member in furniture or equipment.
(5) This section does not apply to prescribe an amount to reimburse a member for costs for an office that is used to any extent for commercial purposes.
(6) This section does not apply in relation to more than one office leased by a particular member at any particular time.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to claims for public resources prescribed by this section.
Part 4—Resources determined by the Minister
72 Offices for members
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, one or more offices (the electorate offices) are prescribed for a member in the member’s electorate.
Note: A senator’s electorate is the State or Territory represented by the senator: see the definition of electorate in section 4.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, temporary office accommodation and facilities in capital cities are prescribed for members.
Note 1: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to public resources prescribed by this section.
Note 2: Public resources prescribed for the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act are provided as determined by the Minister.
73 Offices for Ministers and office holders
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, an office or offices are prescribed for a Minister (other than a Parliamentary Secretary).
Note: Offices prescribed by this section are in addition to offices prescribed by section 72.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, an additional office is prescribed for each of the following members:
(a) a presiding officer;
(b) a senior office holder who is a member of the Opposition;
(c) the leader of a minority party.
Note 1: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to public resources prescribed by this section.
Note 2: Public resources prescribed for the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act are provided as determined by the Minister.
74 Resources for offices
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, the public resources reasonably required for the conduct of a member’s parliamentary business in offices provided by the Commonwealth are prescribed.
(2) The public resources may include the following:
(a) furniture and fittings;
(b) information and communications technology and services;
(c) office equipment;
(d) audio visual equipment;
(e) car parking;
(f) signage;
(g) security;
(h) post office boxes;
(i) flagpoles;
(j) training.
Note: Public resources prescribed for the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act are provided as determined by the Minister.
(3) Subsection (2) does not limit subsection (1).
(4) For the purposes of subsection 33(7) of the Act, a determination providing for public resources prescribed by this section may also provide for the use of the resources in other places for the purposes of conducting the member’s parliamentary business.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to public resources prescribed by this section.
75 Resources during election periods
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act, facilities and equipment reasonably required for conducting the parliamentary business of the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives during an election period (including for a half‑Senate election) are prescribed.
Note: Public resources prescribed for the purposes of subsection 33(1) of the Act are provided as determined by the Minister.
(2) The facilities and equipment are prescribed for distribution to the following at the discretion of the Leader:
(a) members of the Opposition;
(b) staff members of members of the Opposition.
Determination may specify resources and conditions
(3) For the purposes of subsection 33(7) of the Act, a determination providing for facilities and equipment as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section may provide for:
(a) the kinds of facilities and equipment to be provided; and
(b) conditions on the use of the facilities and equipment.
(4) An election period:
(a) for the House of Representatives:
(i) commences on the day after the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires; and
(ii) ends at the end of the day before the following polling day for the House; and
(b) for the Senate:
(i) commences on the day the first writ for the election is issued; and
(ii) ends at the end of the day before the following polling day for the Senate.
Note: The dominant purpose test applies in relation to public resources prescribed by this section.
77 Exceptional circumstances determinations
(1) For the purposes of subsection 33(7) of the Act, the Minister must take into account the following matters when deciding whether exceptional circumstances justify a determination under subsection 33(2) of the Act for provision of public resources relating to the conduct of a member’s parliamentary business:
(a) any unexpected event, such as a natural disaster, that has affected the member or the member’s electorate;
(b) any circumstances which mean that the member’s needs cannot otherwise be addressed under the Act;
(c) the member’s family or caring responsibilities;
(d) whether, despite the member being otherwise ineligible for a public resource, providing the member with that resource would represent value for money for the Commonwealth.
(2) The Minister may take into account any other matter the Minister considers relevant.
Part 5—Other resources
Division 1—Insurance
78 Insurance cover for parliamentary business
(1) For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, the Commonwealth is to provide insurance obtained by the Commonwealth to cover the persons, activities and matters described in this section.
Policies must be approved by the Minister
(2) The insurance must be in the form of a policy or policies of insurance approved by the Minister, and is subject to any terms, conditions, limitations or exclusions specified in the policy or policies concerned.
Members who are members of the Parliament
(3) For members who are members of the Parliament, the insurance is to cover the following matters in relation to the conduct of the member’s parliamentary business:
(a) travel;
(b) injury to members of the public;
(c) damage to personal property of members of the public;
(d) management activities;
(e) professional activities;
(f) employment practices.
Members who are not members of the Parliament
(4) For members who are not members of the Parliament, the insurance may cover matters covered by paragraphs (3)(a) to (f) as considered appropriate by the Minister.
Spouse of the Prime Minister
(5) For the spouse of the Prime Minister, the insurance is to cover the following matters in connection with the Prime Minister’s parliamentary business:
(a) travel;
(b) injury to members of the public;
(c) damage to personal property of members of the public.
Spouse of a presiding officer or Minister
(6) For the spouse of a presiding officer or Minister (other than the Prime Minister), the insurance is to cover travel in connection with the parliamentary business of the presiding officer or Minister.
Additional coverage
(7) The insurance obtained by the Commonwealth to cover a person may also include additional coverage if:
(a) the additional coverage is related to a matter prescribed for the person in subsection (3), (4), (5) or (6); and
(b) the additional coverage is included in a commercially available insurance policy together with the related matter.
(8) The insurance obtained by the Commonwealth for a member may also provide coverage for the member’s spouse.
(9) The insurance obtained by the Commonwealth for an activity of a member may also provide coverage for another person assisting the member in undertaking the activity.
79 Insurance for personal effects
For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, the Commonwealth is to provide the cost of insuring personal effects at official residences for the Prime Minister.
Division 2—Legal assistance to Ministers
Subdivision A—Preliminary
80 Operation of Division
For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, legal assistance approved under this Division is to be provided by the Commonwealth.
81 Definitions
In this Division:
applicant means a person who is, or has been on or after 24 May 1990, a Minister.
approving Minister has the meaning given by section 83.
ministerial duties means duties or conduct arising from occupying the office of Minister.
proceedings means:
(a) a claim for damages or compensation against an applicant; or
(b) a prosecution of an applicant; or
(c) proceedings, in which damages or compensation are not claimed, that are brought against an applicant before a court, tribunal, person or body that may award damages or compensation; or
(d) a claim that an applicant has a legal liability and should take some resulting action; or
(e) an inquiry into matters involving an applicant or the conduct of an applicant (but not a challenge to the validity or conduct of the inquiry); or
(f) a threat to start proceedings mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c).
Secretary means the Secretary to the Attorney‑General’s Department.
subpoena includes a summons or other compulsory process to appear to give evidence or to produce documents.
82 Application of Part
This Part applies to proceedings, or a subpoena received by an applicant related to his or her ministerial duties, in relation to a matter happening on or after 24 May 1990.
82A Assistance relating to National Anti‑Corruption Commission matters
Despite section 82, assistance is not payable to an applicant under this Division in relation to proceedings or a subpoena that relate to an eligible matter within the meaning of the National Anti‑Corruption Commission Regulations 2023.
Subdivision B—Assistance
83 Approving Minister
(1) For an application for assistance under section 85, the approving Minister is the Attorney‑General unless subsection (2), (3) or (4) of this section applies.
(2) If the Attorney‑General is involved and the Prime Minister is not involved, the approving Minister is the Prime Minister.
(3) If the Prime Minister and the Attorney‑General are involved in the same matter, the approving Minister is the Finance Minister.
(4) If the Prime Minister, the Attorney‑General and the Finance Minister are involved in the same matter, the approving Minister is another Minister, who is not involved in the matter, appointed by the Prime Minister.
(5) If all Ministers are involved in the matter, the approving Minister is the Attorney‑General.
84 Application for assistance
An applicant may apply in writing to the approving Minister for assistance under section 85.
85 Assistance to an applicant
(1) For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, subject to this Division, the approving Minister may approve payment by the Commonwealth of:
(a) the costs of an applicant’s legal representation in relation to proceedings and other costs related to proceedings; and
(b) damages or costs awarded against an applicant; and
(c) a reasonable amount payable by an applicant in the settlement of proceedings; and
(d) a fine or penalty imposed on an applicant; and
(e) the costs of legal representation in responding to a subpoena and other costs related to providing a response to a subpoena.
(2) Assistance is payable in accordance with the approval, subject to this instrument.
(3) Assistance extends to the payment of costs for an appeal against, or a review of, a decision in proceedings for which the approval was given.
(4) The approving Minister may reduce the amount of assistance payable if the approving Minister is satisfied that the applicant has breached this instrument or a condition of the approval.
(5) The approving Minister may defer making a decision whether to approve payment of assistance in whole or part until the proceedings reach a point at which the approving Minister considers it appropriate to make the decision.
(6) Assistance approved in relation to the defence of an indictable offence must be limited initially to the preparation and conduct of committal proceedings.
(7) Assistance for payment of a fine or penalty imposed or costs awarded against the applicant in criminal proceedings must not be approved until the fine or penalty is imposed or the costs are awarded.
86 Consideration by approving Minister
(1) Before giving approval under section 85, the approving Minister must:
(a) consult other Ministers in accordance with arrangements approved by the Prime Minister; and
(b) for proceedings mentioned in paragraph (e) of the definition in section 81 of proceedings—be satisfied that:
(i) the inquiry relates to the performance by an applicant of ministerial duties; and
(ii) it is appropriate to give assistance; and
(c) for proceedings other than those mentioned in paragraph (b)—be satisfied that:
(i) the proceedings relate to actual or alleged performance or non‑performance by the applicant of ministerial duties and the applicant acted reasonably and responsibly in relation to the matters giving rise to the proceedings; or
(ii) the proceedings arose only because the applicant is, or has been, the holder of the office of Minister.
(2) Approval must not be given for assistance for proceedings that have arisen out of a motor vehicle incident for which:
(a) the applicant’s liability is insured; or
(b) the approving Minister considers that the applicant’s liability should reasonably have been insured.
(3) Approval may be refused if there has been unreasonable delay in applying for assistance.
87 Revocation of approval
(1) An approval under section 85 may be revoked by the approving Minister, by notice given to the applicant:
(a) so far as it provides for expenditure to be incurred, after the notice is given, for costs of an appeal or review; or
(b) if the approving Minister is satisfied that the applicant has breached a condition of the approval.
(2) Where the grounds mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) exist:
(a) all or part of the approval may be revoked; and
(b) the applicant may be required to repay all or part of any money paid under the approval after the condition was breached.
88 Other arrangements
(1) This instrument does not affect an applicant’s eligibility for assistance other than under this instrument.
(2) However, in considering whether to approve assistance under this instrument or the amount of assistance, the approving Minister may take into account any payment received or receivable by the applicant other than under this instrument.
Subdivision C—Conditions
89 Control by Commonwealth
If an approval under paragraph 85(1)(b) or (c) has been given, the Commonwealth may control the conduct of the defence of the proceedings.
90 Assistance by applicant
The applicant must give to the Commonwealth the assistance that it requests in exercising its control under section 89.
91 General conditions
(1) An approval under section 85 may be subject to the condition that the Australian Government Solicitor or another nominated legal practitioner will represent the applicant.
(2) An approval may be subject to other conditions imposed by the approving Minister at any time.
(3) The costs of an applicant’s legal representation and other related costs will be paid only so far as they are certified by the Secretary, or another officer designated by the Secretary, to be reasonable.
92 Recovery of costs
(1) An approval under section 85 for the Commonwealth to arrange for the defence of an applicant is subject to the condition that, if an award of costs is made in the applicant’s favour, the applicant must take all steps directed by the Commonwealth to recover the costs and must pay to the Commonwealth any costs recovered.
(2) The approval includes approval for the payment of the reasonable expense, certified by the Secretary or another officer designated by the Secretary, of the steps reasonably taken or directed to be taken by the applicant to recover those costs.
Subdivision D—Monitoring and reporting
93 Monitoring
The Secretary or another officer designated by the Secretary must:
(a) monitor strategies adopted by an applicant in legal proceedings for which assistance under section 85 has been approved; and
(b) inform the approving Minister if the Secretary or the other officer considers that proposed expenditure on the proceedings is unreasonable.
94 Reporting
The Attorney‑General must:
(a) inform the Parliament of each decision to pay assistance under this Division, including reasons for the decision and any limits on expenditure, as soon as possible; and
(b) within 3 months after the end of each financial year, table a consolidated statement of expenditure under this Division for that year, specifying the expenditure for each matter.
Division 3—Use of Commonwealth transport for security purposes
94A Use of Commonwealth transport for security purposes
(1) This section applies if the Minister is satisfied that, to ensure the personal safety of a member, the member should be able to use Commonwealth transport.
(2) For the purposes of subsection 42(1) of the Act, the Commonwealth is to provide the Commonwealth transport.
(3) The Commonwealth transport is provided subject to any conditions specified by the Minister in writing, including in relation to:
(a) circumstances in which the transport may or must be used (including in relation to whether other types of transport are available); and
(b) who may travel with the member in the transport.
(4) Paragraphs (3)(a) and (b) do not limit the conditions that may be specified by the Minister under subsection (3).
Part 6—Miscellaneous
95 Office holder’s salary
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 49(1)(b) of the Act, the following office holders are prescribed:
(a) a senior office holder who is a member of the Opposition;
(b) the leader of the third largest party in the House of Representatives;
(c) the leader of a minority party;
(d) the Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, if the Manager is also a shadow Minister;
(e) each other shadow Minister.
(2) Subsection (1) applies in relation to a person who holds an office:
(a) so long as the person holds the office; and
(b) for the first person to hold the office after a general election—from the day of the polling day for the election until the person holds the office; and
(c) for the last person to hold the office before a general election—from when the person last held the office until the day before the polling day for the election.
Note: For detail about when remuneration is payable, see sections 49, 50 and 51 of the Act.
95A Fortnightly payments to senators and members
(1) For the purposes of subsection 52A(2) of the Act, the method for working out the amount to be paid to a person per fortnight is to add up each of the following amounts payable to the person for the fortnight:
(a) the fortnightly amount of base salary;
(b) the fortnightly amount of electorate allowance;
(c) the fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary (if any);
(d) the fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance (if any).
(2) For the purposes of working out the amount under subsection (1), each of the amounts covered by paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) must be rounded to the nearest cent (rounding 0.5 cents upwards).
95B Fortnightly amount of base salary
Amount for a whole fortnight
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the fortnightly amount of base salary payable to a person for a fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction The amount of base salary payable to the person times 12 over 313 end fraction end formula.
Note: Base salary is an annual allowance determined for the purposes of subsection 14(2) of the Act.
Amount for part of a fortnight
(2) If base salary is payable to a person for a part of a fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of base salary payable to the person for that fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Amount for the transitional fortnight
(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to the transitional fortnight.
(4) If base salary is payable to a person for the whole or a part of the transitional fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of base salary payable to the person for the transitional fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means:
(a) if base salary is payable to the person for the whole of the transitional fortnight—17; or
(b) if base salary is payable to the person for a part of the transitional fortnight—the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Note: If base salary is payable to a person for a part of the transitional fortnight, the number of included days in the part of the fortnight may be over 14.
95C Fortnightly amount of electorate allowance
Amount for a whole fortnight
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the fortnightly amount of electorate allowance payable to a person for a fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction The annual amount of electorate allowance payable to the person times 12 over 313 end fraction end formula.
Amount for part of a fortnight
(2) If electorate allowance is payable to a person for a part of a fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of electorate allowance payable to the person for that fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Amount for the transitional fortnight
(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to the transitional fortnight.
(4) If electorate allowance is payable to a person for the whole or a part of the transitional fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of electorate allowance payable to the person for the transitional fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means:
(a) if electorate allowance is payable to the person for the whole of the transitional fortnight—17; or
(b) if electorate allowance is payable to the person for a part of the transitional fortnight—the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Note: If electorate allowance is payable to a person for a part of the transitional fortnight, the number of included days in the part of the fortnight may be over 14.
95D Fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary
Amount for a whole fortnight
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary payable to a person for a fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction The annual amount of office holder’s salary payable to the person times 12 over 313 end fraction end formula.
Amount for part of a fortnight
(2) If office holder’s salary is payable to a person for a part of a fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary payable to the person for that fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Amount for the transitional fortnight
(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to the transitional fortnight.
(4) If office holder’s salary is payable to a person for the whole or a part of the transitional fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of office holder’s salary payable to the person for the transitional fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means:
(a) if office holder’s salary is payable to the person for the whole of the transitional fortnight—17; or
(b) if office holder’s salary is payable to the person for a part of the transitional fortnight—the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Note: If office holder’s salary is payable to a person for a part of the transitional fortnight, the number of included days in the part of the fortnight may be over 14.
95E Fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance
Amount for a whole fortnight
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance payable to a person for a fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction The annual amount of vehicle allowance payable to the person times 12 over 313 end fraction end formula.
Amount for part of a fortnight
(2) If vehicle allowance is payable to a person for a part of a fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance payable to the person for that fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Amount for the transitional fortnight
(3) Subject to subsection (4), subsections (1) and (2) do not apply in relation to the transitional fortnight.
(4) If vehicle allowance is payable to a person for the whole or a part of the transitional fortnight, then the fortnightly amount of vehicle allowance payable to the person for the transitional fortnight is the amount worked out in accordance with the following formula:
Start formula start fraction Full fortnightly amount times Number of included days over 14 end fraction end formula.
where:
full fortnightly amount means the amount worked out in accordance with the formula in subsection (1).
number of included days means:
(a) if vehicle allowance is payable to the person for the whole of the transitional fortnight—17; or
(b) if vehicle allowance is payable to the person for a part of the transitional fortnight—the number of days in the part of the fortnight.
Note: If vehicle allowance is payable to a person for a part of the transitional fortnight, the number of included days in the part of the fortnight may be over 14.
96 Annual limit on Ministerial salaries
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 55(1)(b) of the Act, this section prescribes the amount that must not be exceeded for Ministerial salaries for a financial year.
(2) The amount for the 2017‑2018 financial year is $5,500,000.
(3) The amount for a later financial year is:
(a) unless paragraph (b) applies—the same as the amount for the previous financial year; or
(b) if there was an increase in base salary in the previous financial year—the amount worked out using the following formula:
start formula start fraction New base salary over Previous base salary end fraction times Amount for the previous financial year end formula.
(4) An amount worked out under subsection (3) must be rounded to the nearest hundred dollars.
96A Annual amounts reduced if a person begins to be a member during a year
(1) This section applies if:
(a) an annual amount, other than a dollar amount, of either of the following is to be provided to a person (whether relating to a calendar or financial year):
(i) public resources under this instrument;
(ii) resources prescribed under section 42 of the Act; and
(b) the person becomes a member during the year.
(2) The annual amount is worked out using the following formula:
start formula Annual amount for the year times start fraction Number of days left in the year over 365 end fraction end formula.
(3) The amount must be rounded to the nearest whole number that is more than zero.
(4) This section applies only in relation to a person who becomes a member after the commencement of this section.
97 Persons in relation to whom dominant purpose test does not apply
For the purposes of paragraph 26(2)(b) of the Act, the following persons are prescribed:
(a) a member’s nominee;
(b) a designated person in relation to a member;
(c) a person (other than a member) whose additional transport costs for travel by unscheduled commercial transport are prescribed under section 30 or 31.
98 Claims for public resources—providing information
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 34(a) of the Act, this section specifies requirements in relation to making claims and providing evidence in relation to expenses incurred.
Member must provide compliance information required by the Administrator
(2) A member must give any claim forms or other compliance information required by the Administrator to:
(a) the Administrator; or
(b) a person nominated by the Administrator.
(3) Claim forms and compliance information must be given within the period specified by the Administrator, which must end not less than 30 days, and not more than 6 months, after:
(a) if a claim form or compliance information relates to travel expenses or allowances—the last day of travel to which the form or information relates (whether by the member or another person); or
(b) otherwise—the later of the following days:
(i) the day on which the goods or services concerned were paid for;
(ii) the day on which the goods or services concerned were received.
(4) The Administrator may extend the period for giving a claim form or compliance information at the request of the member, but not by more than 3 months.
(5) The Administrator may approve forms for the purposes of this section and require their use.
(6) In addition, if the Administrator is not IPEA or a Presiding Officer, the Minister may approve forms for the purposes of this section and require their use.
Meaning of compliance information
(7) Compliance information:
(a) means any information reasonably required by the Administrator for determining whether or not the Act has been complied with; and
(b) includes information about the way in which the Act has been complied with.
Commonwealth’s liability when information is not provided
(8) The Commonwealth:
(a) is not liable to provide public resources prescribed by this instrument in relation to which a member has failed to provide compliance information as required by this section; but
(b) may provide the public resources if the Administrator considers it appropriate to do so in the circumstances.
99 Carry over of amounts for travel by unscheduled commercial transport for large electorates
The amount specified for a member in subsection 14(1) (use of unscheduled commercial transport in large electorates) for a financial year is increased by the lower of the following:
(a) the difference between:
(i) the amount prescribed by that subsection for the member for the previous financial year; and
(ii) the expenses claimed by the member for travel covered by that subsection during the previous financial year;
(b) 20% of the amount prescribed by that subsection for the member for the previous financial year.
Note: This allows for up to 20% of an amount prescribed by subsection 14(1) for travel by unscheduled commercial transport in a large electorate to be carried over into the next financial year, but not indefinitely.
100 Use of preferred providers
(1) The Minister may determine, in writing, that a member must use a preferred provider in relation to providing, or arranging the provision of, public resources prescribed by this instrument.
(2) The Commonwealth:
(a) is not liable to provide public resources prescribed by this instrument in relation to which a member has contravened a determination under this section; but
(b) may provide the public resources if the Administrator considers it appropriate to do so in the circumstances.
101 Approved forms for applications to IPEA
For the purposes of subsection 37(8) of the Act, IPEA:
(a) may approve a form for making an application for a ruling as mentioned in paragraph 37(3)(a) of the Act; and
(b) is not required to give a ruling on such an application unless the application is made in the approved form.
102 Indexation
(1) If a provision of this instrument states that a dollar amount is to be indexed in accordance with this section, then at the start of each financial year (an indexation year) the dollar amount is replaced by the amount worked out using the following formula:
start formula Indexation factor for the indexation year times Dollar amount for the previous year end formula.
(2) The indexation factor for an indexation year is the number worked out using the following formula:
start formula start fraction Index number for the reference quarter over Index number for the base quarter end fraction end formula.
where:
base quarter means the last March quarter before the reference quarter.
index number, for a quarter, means the All Groups Consumer Price Index number (being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities) published by the Australian Statistician for that quarter.
reference quarter means the March quarter in the last year before the indexation year.
(3) An indexation factor is to be calculated to 3 decimal places (rounding up if the fourth decimal place is 5 or more).
(4) Calculations under subsection (2):
(a) are to be made using only the index numbers published in terms of the most recently published index reference period; and
(b) are to be made disregarding index numbers that are published in substitution for previously published index numbers (except where the substituted numbers are published to take account of changes in the index reference period).
Part 7—Application, saving and transitional provisions
103 Application of amendments made by the Parliamentary Business Resources Amendment (Office and Travel Expenses) Regulations 2025
(1) The amendments of sections 4 and 17 of this instrument, made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Parliamentary Business Resources Amendment (Office and Travel Expenses) Regulations 2025, apply in relation to travel undertaken in the financial year starting on 1 July 2024 and later financial years.
(2) The amendments of section 66 of this instrument, made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Parliamentary Business Resources Amendment (Office and Travel Expenses) Regulations 2025, apply in relation to office expenses incurred or used on or after the commencement of this section.