Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2016

Overview

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2016, enacted in 2016, was introduced to amend the remuneration of the Clerk of the House of Representatives as advised by the Remuneration Tribunal. This amendment was made under subsection 63(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, The Hon Tony Smith MP. The primary objective of this determination is to establish a new remuneration package for the Clerk, setting it at $417,800 per annum, subject to periodic adjustments based on future advice from the Remuneration Tribunal regarding general remuneration changes. This legislative amendment ensures that the remuneration for the Clerk of the House of Representatives is aligned with current standards and recommendations, maintaining fairness and consistency in the compensation structure within the parliamentary service.

Scope and Application

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2016 applies to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, an individual who is integral to the administrative and procedural operations of the House of Representatives. This Determination, made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, amends the remuneration and other conditions of appointment for the Clerk as set out in the Parliamentary Service Determination Number 3 of 2012. Specifically, it adjusts the annual remuneration to $417,800, with provisions for periodic adjustments based on advice from the Remuneration Tribunal regarding general remuneration changes. This Determination is confined to the Commonwealth level and affects only the Clerk of the House of Representatives, ensuring that the remuneration reflects changes in the economic and legislative environment, while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of parliamentary operations.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2016 (the "Determination") are found in Clause 2.1, which sets the annual remuneration for the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This clause replaces the corresponding clause in the Parliamentary Service Determination Number 3 of 2012, establishing a new annual remuneration of $417,800 for the Clerk. This remuneration is expected to be adjusted periodically based on advice from the Remuneration Tribunal regarding general remuneration adjustments (Clause 2.1). The Determination comes into effect on 1 January 2016, aligning with the commencement date specified in the document. The Determination imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily concerning the remuneration of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. It mandates that the Clerk is eligible for an annual remuneration of $417,800, as outlined in Clause 2.1. Furthermore, this remuneration is subject to periodic adjustments, contingent on the advice from the Remuneration Tribunal on general remuneration adjustments. This ensures that the remuneration is reviewed and potentially modified in line with broader changes in remuneration standards. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach mentioned in the Determination. The document focuses primarily on setting the remuneration for the Clerk of the House of Representatives and does not delve into enforcement mechanisms or sanctions for non-compliance. As such, the primary focus is on the financial obligations and adjustments related to the Clerk's remuneration rather than punitive measures for non-compliance with these provisions.