Part 3Legal assistance to ministers

## Part 1—Preliminary #### 1 Name of Regulations These Regulations are the Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations 1997. #### 2 Definitions In these Regulations: > Act means the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990. > office budget: the office budget for a financial year for a member is the amount worked out for the member under Part 2AA for the financial year. > office budget benefit: each of the following benefits for a member is a distinct office budget benefit: (a) the benefit set out in subitem 2(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Act as varied by Schedule 1 to these Regulations, so far as that benefit consists of Australian flags; (b) the benefit set out in subitem 7(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Act as varied by Schedule 1 to these Regulations, so far as that benefit consists of office requisites and stationery; (c) the benefit set out in subitem 7(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Act as varied by Schedule 1 to these Regulations, so far as that benefit consists of software; (d) the benefit set out in subitem 7A(1) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Act as varied by Schedule 1 to these Regulations (publications); (e) the benefit prescribed by regulation 3AA (printing and communications). > remainder of the office budget: for a particular office budget benefit for a member for a financial year, the remainder of the office budget is the difference between: (a) the office budget for the financial year for the member; and (b) the sum of the costs of all the other office budget benefits for the member for the financial year. > Note: If the member has not taken any of the other office budget benefits for the financial year, the sum described in paragraph (b) will be nil and the remainder of the office budget for the particular office budget benefit will equal the office budget for the member for the financial year. > standard rate of postage means the rate of postage for carriage within Australia of standard postal articles by ordinary post as determined by the Board of Australia Post under paragraph 32(2)(c) of the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989. #### 2A Variation and omission of Scheduled benefits The Scheduled benefits are varied or omitted in accordance with Schedule 1. ## Part 2—Additional benefits for members ### Division 1—Printing and communications entitlement #### 3 Application of this Division This Division applies to all members. #### 3AA Printing and communications entitlement (1) For paragraph 5(1)(b) of the Act, the additional benefit of a printing and communications entitlement, as set out in this Division, is prescribed. (2) The entitlement is for the cost of commercial services for any of the following: (a) printing; (b) the production of e‑material; (c) matters for incorporation into commercially printed material and commercially produced e‑material, including the following: (i) translation; (ii) design; (iii) artwork; (iv) photography; (d) the communication and distribution of printed material and e‑material; (e) the establishment and maintenance of websites; (f) the production and maintenance of a product commonly known as an audio poster; Note: This is a poster to which an electronic device has been attached to broadcast sound. (g) matters for incorporation into an audio poster, including the following: (i) translation; (ii) design; (iii) artwork; (iv) photography; (v) audio recordings; (h) the distribution of audio posters. (2A) The entitlement must not be used for the cost of commercial services for: (a) the production of television or radio content; or (b) the placement of television or radio content. (3) The entitlement must only be used for parliamentary or electorate purposes, and must not be used for: (a) party business; or (b) commercial purposes. (5) For paragraph (2)(a), the entitlement is limited to printing on: (a) paper or card weighing not more than 700 grams per square metre; or (b) flat magnetised material. (8) Subject to subregulation (9), printing on personalised letterhead stationery may include only the following: (a) the member’s name and title; (b) the address, postal address and contact details of the member’s electorate office, Parliament House office, and capital city office (if applicable); (ba) a post office box; (c) other contact details of the member, including his or her electronic contact addresses; (d) for a member of the House of Representatives—his or her electoral division; (e) for a Senator—his or her State or Territory; (f) an electorate, State or Territory map; (g) a description of the electorate, State or Territory, which may be in the form of, or include, a pictorial representation relating to the electorate, State or Territory; (h) photographs of the member; (i) the Commonwealth Coat of Arms; (j) the Australian flag; (k) a political party logo; (l) 1 personal slogan or motto of the member; (m) incidental material. > Note: Example 1: A statement that the material is printed on 100% recycled paper. > Note: Example 2: A symbol such as a tick to indicate that an organisation or body has approved an environmentally friendly method of production of the paper. (9) If personalised letterhead stationery includes the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, the stationery must not include the Australian flag or a political party logo. (10) A member may use the entitlement to print the following number of postal vote applications for a federal election: (a) for a member of the House of Representatives—a number equal to the number of enrolled voters in the member’s electorate (within the electoral boundaries for the member’s electorate as in place at the last general election) on the last working day of March before the election; and (b) for a Senator—a number equal to 50% of the number of enrolled voters in the Senator’s State or Territory on the last working day of March before the election. (11) In this regulation: > party business: (a) means the production, communication or distribution of material that: (i) is, or contains, how‑to‑vote material; or (ii) solicits subscriptions or other financial support for a member, political party or candidate; and (b) does not include the production, communication or distribution of a postal vote application mentioned in subregulation (10). > personalised letterhead stationery means letterhead paper, envelopes, compliments slips and business cards for a member to which text or other material may then be added for the member’s purposes. #### 3AB Amount of printing and communications entitlement for a member for a financial year The cost of commercial services to which a member is entitled under regulation 3AA for a financial year starting on or after 1 July 2015 cannot exceed the remainder of the office budget. ### Division 2—Other additional benefits #### 3B Additional benefits for members representing a Minister or the Government—overseas travel (1) This regulation applies to a member who, with the approval of the Prime Minister, is representing a Minister or the Government overseas. (2) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the cost of travel overseas at the same standard that would apply to a Minister travelling on official business is prescribed as an additional benefit for a member to which this regulation applies. (3) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the following additional benefits are prescribed for a member to which this regulation applies: (a) the cost of travel overseas by the member’s spouse when accompanying the member, if the Prime Minister approves; (b) the cost of official hospitality, under the same arrangements that apply to a Minister, if the Special Minister of State approves; (c) the cost of vaccinations and medical supplies essential for travel overseas by the member; (e) the cost of medical services (including emergency dental services) and hospital services received overseas by the member in the period covered by the official itinerary if the cost is not covered by insurance. #### 3C Additional benefits for members representing Australia—overseas travel (1) This regulation applies to a member who, with the approval of the Prime Minister, is representing Australia overseas. (2) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the following additional benefits are prescribed for a member to whom this regulation applies: (a) the cost of travel overseas by the member; (b) the cost of vaccinations and medical supplies essential for travel overseas by the member; (d) the cost of medical services (including emergency dental services) and hospital services received overseas by the member in the period covered by the official itinerary if the cost is not covered by insurance; (f) the cost of travel overseas by the member’s spouse when accompanying the member, if the Prime Minister approves. (3) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, if the Leader of the Opposition is representing Australia overseas in accordance with subregulation (1), the costs of a staff member accompanying the Leader of the Opposition are prescribed as an additional benefit for the Leader of the Opposition. (4) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, if the Deputy Leader of the Opposition is representing Australia overseas in accordance with subregulation (1), the costs of a staff member accompanying the Deputy Leader of the Opposition are prescribed as an additional benefit for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. #### 3D Additional benefits for members—use of special purpose aircraft For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the use of special purpose aircraft, as approved by the Prime Minister, is prescribed as an additional benefit for a member for whom the Prime Minister has given an approval mentioned in subregulation 3B(1) or 3C(1). #### 3E Additional benefits for members—mobile telephone services for personal staff For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the cost of mobile telephone services for use of personal staff of an independent member in respect of whom the Prime Minister has made a determination under section 12 of the Act, as approved by the Minister, is prescribed as an additional benefit for the independent member. #### 3EA Supplement of capped entitlements in exceptional circumstances (1) This regulation applies to a member if the Minister is satisfied that the member: (a) has, in the financial year in which a disaster happens, expended a substantial part of a capped entitlement; and (b) because of the disaster, requires a supplement to the capped entitlement to conduct the member’s electorate or parliamentary business. (2) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the member is entitled, on application to the Minister, to a supplement in the financial year in which the disaster happened. (3) An application mentioned in subregulation (2) must be made: (a) in the form approved by the Minister; and (b) as soon as practicable after the disaster. (4) The amount of the supplement is the amount the Minister decides the member needs to supplement the member’s capped entitlement mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) in order to conduct the member’s electorate or parliamentary business in the financial year in which the disaster happens. (5) However, the total amount of supplement to which a member is entitled under this regulation in a financial year cannot exceed $20,000. (6) A supplement under subregulation (2) may only be used by the member for one or more of the purposes declared by the Minister in a legislative instrument for this subregulation. (7) However, the member may use the supplement for a purpose described in subregulation (6) only if, in the financial year in which the disaster occurred, the member has fully expended: (a) if the purpose relates to a capped entitlement connected with an office budget benefit—the office budget for the financial year for the member; or (b) if the purpose relates to another capped entitlement—that capped entitlement. (8) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, declare a benefit to be a capped entitlement. (9) In this regulation: > capped entitlement means a benefit declared by the Minister under subregulation (8). > disaster means a serious disruption to a community or region caused by a rapid onset event that: (a) threatens or causes death, injury or damage to property or the environment; and (b) requires significant and coordinated multi‑agency and community response. #### 3EB Insurance cover (1) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, an entitlement to insurance cover that: (a) is obtained by the Commonwealth; and (b) covers a person mentioned in column 1 of an item in the following table; and (c) covers any of the matters referred to in column 2 of the item and any of the activities referred to in column 3 of the item; is prescribed as an additional benefit for a member. ```html <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse"><thead><tr><td colspan="4" style="border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="TableHeading"><span>Insurance cover</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:10.08%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Item</span></p></td><td style="width:35.88%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 1</span></p></td><td style="width:28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 2</span></p></td><td style="width:26.04%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Column 3</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:10.08%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold"></span></p></td><td style="width:35.88%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Persons covered</span></p></td><td style="width:28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Matters covered</span></p></td><td style="width:26.04%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext" style="page-break-after:avoid"><span style="font-weight:bold">Activities covered</span></p></td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:10.08%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>1</span></p></td><td style="width:35.88%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Member</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>Spouse of Prime Minister</span></p></td><td style="width:28%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Injury to members of the public, or damage to personal property of members of the public</span></p></td><td style="width:26.04%; border-top:1.5pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Parliamentary, electorate, official and party business</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:10.08%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>2</span></p></td><td style="width:35.88%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Member</span></p></td><td style="width:28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Management activities, professional activities and employment practices</span></p></td><td style="width:26.04%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:0.75pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Parliamentary, electorate, official and party business</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style="width:10.08%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>3</span></p></td><td style="width:35.88%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Member</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>Spouse of Prime Minister or another Minister</span></p><p class="Tabletext"><span>Spouse of Presiding Officer</span></p></td><td style="width:28%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Travel</span></p></td><td style="width:26.04%; border-top:0.75pt solid #000000; border-bottom:1.5pt solid #000000; padding-right:5.4pt; padding-left:5.4pt; vertical-align:top"><p class="Tabletext"><span>Travel on parliamentary, electorate, official and party business</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table> ``` (2) The Minister may approve in writing a policy or policies of insurance that provide the additional benefit under subregulation (1). (3) The additional benefit: (a) is subject to any terms, conditions, limitations or exclusions specified in the policy or policies approved under subregulation (2); and (b) may include additional insurance for a matter if: (i) the matter is related to a matter mentioned in column 2 of an item in the table in subregulation (1); and (ii) the additional insurance is included in a commercially available policy of insurance that covers the matter referred to in subparagraph (i); and (c) may provide insurance for the spouse of a member, or a person assisting the member in undertaking activities referred to in column 3 of the item, in respect of a matter for which insurance is provided to the member under this regulation. (4) An approval under subregulation (2) is not a legislative instrument. #### 3EC Insurance of personal effects (1) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the additional benefit of entitlement to the cost of insurance of personal effects, as set out in this regulation, is prescribed. (2) The Prime Minister is entitled to the cost of insurance for the Prime Minister’s personal effects at official establishments. ## Part 2AA—Office budget #### 3ED Office budget for a financial year for a member For a Senator (1) The office budget for a financial year starting on or after 1 July 2015 for a Senator is the sum of: (a) $11 500; and (b) $92 110, indexed annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for each financial year starting on or after 1 July 2016. For a member of the House of Representatives (2) The office budget for a financial year starting on or after 1 July 2015 for a member of the House of Representatives is the sum of: (a) $86 500; and (b) the amount worked out under subregulation (3) or (4) for the member’s electorate; and (c) either: (i) if the Australian Electoral Commission has determined that the demographic rating of the member’s electorate is inner metropolitan or outer metropolitan—$44 416; or (ii) otherwise—$45 751; indexed annually in accordance with the Consumer Price Index for each financial year starting on or after 1 July 2016. House of Representatives voter‑related component of office budget (3) For paragraph (2)(b), the amount is the product of the following, worked out as at the last business day in March before the financial year: (a) the number of enrolled voters within the electoral boundaries for the member’s electorate as in place at the last general election; (b) the standard rate of postage. (4) However, if the first election for the electorate occurs between the last business day in March before the financial year and the end of the financial year, the amount for paragraph (2)(b) is the product of the following: (a) the number of enrolled voters within the electoral boundaries for the member’s electorate as at the close of the electoral roll for that election; (b) the standard rate of postage as at that last business day. Reduction of office budget for supplement in previous financial year (5) The office budget for a financial year worked out for a member under subregulation (1) or (2) is reduced by the amount of a supplement under regulation 3EA (for a disaster) in the previous financial year spent by the member for a purpose connected with an office budget benefit. (6) Subregulation (5) has effect despite subregulations (1) and (2), but does not apply to a member if, having regard to the member’s particular circumstances, the Minister decides it should not apply. ## Part 2A—Additional benefits for Parliamentary office‑holders #### 3F Additional benefits for Leader of the Opposition For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the cost of photographic services, as approved by the Prime Minister, is prescribed as an additional benefit for the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. #### 3G Additional benefits for certain office‑holders For subsection 5(1) of the Act, the cost of mobile telephone services for use of personal staff, as approved by the Minister, is prescribed as an additional benefit for: (a) the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives; and (b) the Leader of The Nationals in the Senate; and (c) the leader of a minority party; and (d) party whips. ## Part 3—Legal assistance to ministers ### Division 1—Preliminary #### 5 Definitions In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears: > approving Minister has the meaning given by regulation 7. > applicant means a person who is, or has been on or after 24 May 1990, a Minister. > 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. #### 6 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. ### Division 2—Assistance #### 7 Approving Minister (1) For an application for assistance under regulation 9, the approving Minister is the Attorney‑General unless subregulation (2), (3) or (4) 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 Minister for Finance and Administration. (4) If the Prime Minister, the Attorney‑General and the Minister for Finance and Administration 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. #### 8 Application for assistance An applicant may apply in writing to the approving Minister for assistance under regulation 9. #### 9 Assistance to an applicant (1) For subsection 5(1) of the Act, subject to this Part, 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 these Regulations. (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 these Regulations 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. #### 10 Consideration by approving Minister (1) Before giving approval under regulation 9, 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 regulation 5 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. #### 11 Revocation of approval (1) An approval under regulation 9 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. #### 12 Other arrangements (1) These Regulations do not affect an applicant’s eligibility for assistance other than under these Regulations. (2) However, in considering whether to approve assistance under these Regulations or the amount of assistance, the approving Minister may take into account any payment received or receivable by the applicant other than under these Regulations. ### Division 3—Conditions #### 13 Control by Commonwealth If an approval under paragraph 9(1)(b) or (c) has been given, the Commonwealth may control the conduct of the defence of the proceedings. #### 14 Assistance by applicant The applicant must give to the Commonwealth the assistance that it requests in exercising its control under regulation 13. #### 15 General conditions (1) An approval under regulation 9 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. #### 16 Recovery of costs (1) An approval under regulation 9 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. ### Division 4—Monitoring and reporting #### 17 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 regulation 9 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. #### 18 Reporting The Attorney‑General must: (a) inform the Parliament of each decision to pay assistance under this Part, 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 Part for that year, specifying the expenditure for each matter. ## Part 4—Transitional provisions #### 19 Definitions In this Part: > amending regulations means the Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment (Presiding Officer and Parliamentary Delegation Travel) Regulations 2017. #### 20 Overseas travel by a Parliamentary Delegation (1) Subject to subregulation (2), item \[105B\] of Schedule 1 applies in relation to travel on or after the commencement of the amending regulations. (2) Item \[105B\] of Schedule 1 does not apply in relation to travel approved by the Prime Minister before the commencement of the amending regulations. #### 21 Overseas travel by a Presiding Officer (1) The amendments of item \[206\] of Schedule 1 made by the amending regulations apply in relation to travel on or after the commencement of the amending regulations. (2) Subitems 2(2A) and (2B) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act as varied by these Regulations each have effect, in relation to the financial year beginning on 1 July 2016, as if the reference in that subitem to $250,000 were a reference to the amount equal to $125,000 reduced by the total amount of the benefits referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subitem for travel in the transitional period. (3) For the purposes of subregulation (2), the transitional period is the period starting on 1 January 2017 and ending on the day before the commencement of the amending regulations. #### 22 Repeal of this Part This Part is repealed at the start of 1 July 2017.