Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the Senate) Determination 2023

Overview

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the Senate) Determination 2023 was introduced by Senator the Hon Sue Lines, the President of the Senate, to amend the remuneration of the Clerk of the Senate. This determination was made under subsection 63(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, and it took effect on 1 July 2023. The amendment updates the total remuneration for the Clerk of the Senate to $473,820 per annum, repealing and replacing Clause 6.1 of the Parliamentary Service Determination 2012/1. The underlying objective of this amendment is to ensure that the remuneration aligns with the responsibilities and the role's significance within the Senate.

Scope and Application

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Clerk of the Senate) Determination 2023 applies to the Clerk of the Senate, a specific role within the Parliamentary Service, which is part of the Commonwealth’s legislative branch. This amendment alters the terms and conditions of the Clerk’s remuneration, setting it at $473,820 per annum. The Determination was made by Senator the Hon Sue Lines, President of the Senate, in accordance with the advice from the Remuneration Tribunal and under the authority granted by subsection 63(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. This Determination commenced on 1 July 2023, replacing the previous remuneration arrangement stipulated in Clause 6.1 of the Parliamentary Service Determination 2012/1. The Determination is confined to the remuneration of the Clerk of the Senate and does not extend to other roles or entities within the Parliamentary Service or elsewhere. This specific amendment does not introduce any exclusions or exemptions, but rather directly modifies the remuneration clause for the position of the Clerk of the Senate.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Determination are concerned with the amendment of the Parliamentary Service Determination 2012/1, specifically relating to the remuneration and other terms and conditions of appointment for the Clerk of the Senate. According to section 2, the Determination commenced on 1 July 2023 and amends the previously established annual remuneration for the Clerk of the Senate. The new annual remuneration is set at $473,820 (section 2). This amendment replaces the previous clause in Clause 6.1 of the 2012/1 Determination, which had established a different remuneration figure. This Act imposes clear obligations on the relevant parties, primarily ensuring that the Clerk of the Senate's remuneration is accurately reflected and updated in accordance with the new provisions. The President of the Senate, having received advice from the Remuneration Tribunal, is responsible for making this amendment determination under subsection 63(1) of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. The Clerk of the Senate, on the other hand, is subject to the updated remuneration terms and conditions as stipulated by the Determination. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences mentioned within the text of this Determination regarding breach of its provisions. However, the Determination is a formal legal instrument that, if not adhered to, could potentially lead to legal challenges or disputes regarding the remuneration of the Clerk of the Senate. The maximum penalties or consequences would be determined by the courts in such instances, but they are not specified in the text of the Determination itself.