Biographies of senior staff

Bernard has published a number of contributions relating to the House, parliamentary proceedings and Australia's constitutional history.

Biography
Bernard has a B.A.(ANU), major in political science. He has worked in the Parliament since 1972 and joined the public service in 1971. He was previously the Deputy Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4111
Fax (02) 6277 2006
E-mail Clerk.Reps@aph.gov.au

Role and Responsibilities
David Elder is the Deputy Clerk of the House of Representatives. The Deputy Clerk is the second most senior official of the Department of the House of Representatives is responsible for advising and assisting Members, their staff and officers on matters of parliamentary practice and law, and drafting private members bills and amendments. The Deputy assists the Clerk in the management of the department and during the Clerk’s absence performs the duties of Clerk.

Biography
David has an MA from the Australian National University. He has worked in the Parliament since 1981, having joined the Australian Public Service in 1979. David is married with two children.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4222
Fax (02) 6277 2006
E-mail David.Elder.Reps@aph.gov.au 

Role and Responsibilities
Robyn McClelland is the Serjeant-at-Arms in the Department of the House of Representatives and is responsible for providing advice, services and support for members of the House of Representatives.

The Serjeant-at-Arms is also the corporate manager for the department.

Biography
Robyn has a M Admin. Studies and B Sc (Hons) from the Australian National University and a Grad Dip Edn from the University of Canberra. She has worked in the Parliament since 1991, having joined the Australian Public Service in 1977. Robyn is married with three adult daughters. She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4444
Fax (02) 6277 2006
E-mail Robyn.McClelland.Reps@aph.gov.au

Role and Responsibilities
Joanne Towner is the Clerk Assistant (Table). She is responsible for those areas of the department which provide programming, procedural, legislative and research support to the Chamber and Main Committee of the House, and which promote community understanding of and interaction with the work of the House and the Parliament. She acts as Clerk-at-the-Table of the House of Representatives.

Biography
Joanne has worked in the Department of the House of Representatives in many positions including the Table Office, the Chamber Research Office, and as a Committee Secretary. She was previously Clerk Assistant (Committees). Joanne has a BA (Hons) from the University of Melbourne and a Dip Ed from the State College of Victoria.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4777
Fax (02) 6277 4517
E-mail Joanne.Towner.Reps@aph.gov.au

Role and Responsibilities
Claressa Surtees is the Clerk Assistant (Committees) and is responsible for the Committee Support area of the department. The area provides a range of support services to House of Representatives committees and some joint committees. Claressa also acts as Clerk-at-the-Table of the House of Representatives.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4399
Fax (02) 6277 4034
E-mail Committee.Reps@aph.gov.au