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Administration of the Parliamentary Service
Implementation of new departmental arrangements
In the Parliamentary Service Commissioner's Annual Report 2003–04, Mr Podger referred to the appointment of Ms Hilary Penfold QC as Secretary of the new Department of Parliamentary Services and mentioned some early progress in implementing the arrangements included in the Parliament's resolutions. Implementation of the new arrangements is largely the responsibility of Ms Penfold and her new department, in cooperation with the Chamber departments and in line with the requirements of the Presiding Officers.
In addition to abolishing the former Department of the Parliamentary Library, Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff and the Joint House Department, Parliament's resolutions establishing the Department of Parliamentary Services expressed the Parliament's support for the Presiding Officers' endeavours to reinforce the independence of the Parliamentary Librarian (Appendix A).
Parliamentary Librarian
In order to reinforce the independence of the Parliamentary Library the resolutions called for amendments to the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to provide for a statutory office of Parliamentary Librarian, with direct reporting to the Presiding Officers and the library committees of both Houses of Parliament and with resourcing to be approved by the Presiding Officers after consideration by the library committees.
During the year the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 was amended to establish the statutory office of Parliamentary Librarian. The amending Bill was passed in March 2005 and received Royal Assent on 1 April 2005.
The legislation
- set out the functions of the office
- provided for the Parliamentary Librarian's appointment, termination and remuneration
- enabled an acting Parliamentary Librarian to be appointed
- required resources to be provided to the Parliamentary Librarian
- required the Parliamentary Librarian to report to the Library Committee.
The position of Parliamentary Librarian was advertised nationally on 9 April 2005 and a selection process. convened by Ms Lynne Tacy, Deputy' Public Service Commissioner, was under way at the end of 2004–05.
Security
The Presiding Officers agreed, following a report from the Senate Appropriations and Staffing Committee in 2004, that:
- A Security Management Board should be established under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.
- Funding for the security function should be transferred to the Department of Parliamentary Services.
The March 2005 amendment to the Act, which established the office of Parliamentary Librarian. also established statutorily the Security Management Board. The board had previously been established administratively in 2002. The function of the board is to provide advice as required to the Presiding Officers on security policy, and the management of security measures, for Parliament House.
Funding for the security function, previously held by the Chamber departments, was transferred to the Department of Parliamentary Services under section 32 of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 with effect from July 2004.
Funding
The review of the Parliament's administration, that led to Parliament's resolutions to form the Department of Parliamentary Services. indicated that savings would be available over time, estimated as around $5 million in the medium term and between $5 million and $10 million in the longer term. In April 2003, the Government agreed the need for additional resources for security purposes of $25.5m over four years, but considered that offsetting savings would be available from the formation of the Department of Parliamentary Services. The financial year 2004—05 is first full year of operation for the new department. Reporting on the financial performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services is the responsibility of the Departmental Secretary.
Review of implementation of Parliament's resolutions
The Presiding Officers have agreed that the Australian Parliamentary Service Commissioner should undertake a follow up review later in 2005—06 of the implementation of Parliament's August 2003 resolutions that led to formation of the Department of Parliamentary Services.
Inquiry
The President of the Senate has asked me to undertake an inquiry in accordance with my inquiry powers under section 40(2) and consistent with section 11 of the Parliamentary Service Act 1999. The inquiry relates to events that occurred in 2004—05 and I anticipate that the inquiry will be concluded during 2005—06.
Review of the Public Service Act 1999
During 2005—06 the Australian Public Service Commission will be undertaking a review of the Public Service Act 1999 and its subordinate legislation (on which the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 and subordinate legislation are modelled) given that the Act has now been in place for six years. The review of the Public Service Act may have implications for the Parliamentary Service legislation and there will be close liaison between the two Services during the review, including through the Commissioner's meetings with the Parliamentary Service departmental heads.
