Overview

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services) Determination 2017 was enacted by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, pursuant to section 63 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. This determination was made to adjust the remuneration for the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, following advice from the Remuneration Tribunal. The primary objective of this amendment is to ensure that the remuneration for the Secretary aligns with the responsibilities and requirements of the position, thereby attracting and retaining suitably qualified and experienced candidates. This amendment addresses the need to keep the remuneration competitive within the public sector, reflecting the critical role of the Secretary in supporting the operations of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Scope and Application

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services) Determination 2017 applies to the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, a key administrative role within the Australian Parliament. This amendment is made under section 63 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and is effective from 1 July 2017, modifying the remuneration and conditions of appointment for the Secretary. The determination replaces Clause 2.1 of the Parliamentary Service Determination Number 1 of 2015, setting the Secretary's base salary at $298,309 per annum and the total remuneration at $426,160 per annum. This amendment is geographically applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targeting the remuneration arrangements for a high-ranking public service position within the parliamentary administrative framework. The scope of the legislation is limited to the adjustment of salary and does not extend to other conditions of employment or broader parliamentary services.

Key Provisions

The Parliamentary Service (Remuneration) Amendment (Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services) Determination 2017 modifies the existing conditions of appointment for the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services. Specifically, clause 2.1 of the Determination (2) amends the Parliamentary Service Determination Number 1 of 2015 to set the Secretary's remuneration. The Secretary is now eligible for a base salary of $298,309 per annum and total remuneration of $426,160 per annum, replacing the previous figures that were stipulated in the 2015 Determination. This amendment directly affects the financial entitlements of the Secretary, ensuring that the remuneration package is updated in line with the current legislative framework. Under the terms of this Determination, the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services has specific obligations regarding their remuneration. They must ensure that their remuneration is consistent with the updated figures provided in the Amendment Determination. This includes understanding the base salary and the total remuneration, which encompasses all allowable allowances and benefits in addition to the base salary. The Secretary is also expected to comply with any other conditions of appointment as outlined in the Determination and any other applicable legislation. The Determination does not explicitly outline offences or penalties for breach of its provisions. However, breaches of any conditions of appointment or remuneration as stipulated by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 could potentially lead to disciplinary actions or other legal consequences. These could include termination of employment or other administrative penalties imposed by the Parliamentary Service. It is important to note that while the Determination itself does not specify maximum penalties, any breach of employment conditions may still attract penalties under other relevant employment laws or regulations.