Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2024

Overview

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2024 was enacted to address the need for an updated remuneration structure for the Clerk of the House of Representatives. This amendment determination, made by the Hon Milton Dick MP, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, on 3 July 2024, replaces Clause 2.1 of the Parliamentary Service Determination 1 of 2019. The determination aims to ensure the Clerk's remuneration aligns with current market standards and follows advice from the Remuneration Tribunal, with the Clerk now eligible for total remuneration of $490,410 per annum, subject to annual adjustments based on future tribunal advice. This legislative update seeks to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the House of Representatives' administrative functions by providing fair and competitive remuneration for the Clerk.

Scope and Application

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the House of Representatives) Determination 2024 amends the remuneration and other conditions of employment for the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as outlined in the Parliamentary Service Determination 1 of 2019. This amendment, made under subsection 63(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon Milton Dick MP, sets the total remuneration for the Clerk at $490,410 per annum, with adjustments expected to be made annually following advice from the Remuneration Tribunal. This amendment applies specifically to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and pertains to the federal jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Determination does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds, and it is noted that further application and interpretation of the remuneration terms may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as advised by the Remuneration Tribunal.

Key Provisions

The primary operative section of this Determination is Clause 2.1, which replaces the existing clause related to the remuneration and other conditions of employment for the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Under this clause, the Clerk will now be eligible for total remuneration of $490,410 per annum. This remuneration is expected to be adjusted annually once advice is received from the Remuneration Tribunal (Clause 2.1). This adjustment mechanism ensures that the remuneration package is reviewed and potentially modified in line with economic and other relevant factors deemed necessary by the Tribunal. The Determination imposes obligations on the Clerk of the House of Representatives to adhere to the remuneration outlined in Clause 2.1. It mandates that the Clerk’s total remuneration is to be set at $490,410 per annum, subject to annual adjustments based on the Remuneration Tribunal’s advice. This clause ensures that the Clerk's compensation is transparent, regularly reviewed, and aligned with the Tribunal’s recommendations, thereby maintaining fairness and consistency in the remuneration structure. There are no explicit provisions in this Determination regarding offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches. The focus is on establishing and adjusting the remuneration for the Clerk of the House of Representatives in a structured and regulated manner. However, any failure to comply with the remuneration as outlined could potentially lead to legal scrutiny or review by the Tribunal or other relevant authorities, given the importance of adhering to parliamentary service determinations. The primary consequence of non-compliance would likely be the need to rectify the remuneration to align with the Determination’s requirements.