Parliamentary Service Commissioner Annual Report 2014-15

Administration of the Parliamentary Service

Legislation

The most significant legislative change during the year was the commencement of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (the PGPA Act), the principal provisions of which came into effect on 1 July 2014. This Act sets out five general duties of officials which are similar to elements of the Codes of Conduct under the Parliamentary Service Act and the Public Service Act 1999 (the Public Service Act). To ensure consistency between the general duties under the PGPA Act and the requirements of the Codes of Conduct, minor amendments to the PGPA Act, the Parliamentary Service Act and the Public Service Act were made through the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014.

Statutory office holder remuneration

The Parliamentary Budget Officer’s remuneration is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. The Commissioner’s Annual Report 2013-14 referred to proposed legislative change to transfer the responsibility for determining the remuneration of the other Parliamentary Service statutory office holders from the Presiding Officers to the Remuneration Tribunal. The necessary amendments to the Parliamentary Service Act and the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 are being developed as part of a package of amendments to be referred to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel in the following reporting period.

Reports under the Parliamentary Service Act

The Commissioner provided the Presiding Officers with reports under subsection 40(1)(b) and subsection 61(2) of the Parliamentary Service Act during the year.

Information and communications technology

The Commissioner’s Annual Report 2013–14 reported on the development of the Parliament of Australia ICT Strategic Plan 2013–18 (the ICT Plan) under the oversight of the Parliamentary ICT Advisory Board (PICTAB), whose members include the Parliamentary Service Commissioner. The ICT Plan is used as the basis for ICT planning, investment and governance for the four parliamentary departments.

During 2014–15 parliamentarians and parliamentary departments have benefited from a refresh of end-of-life ICT equipment across the 250-plus electorate offices, Commonwealth parliamentary offices and Parliament House.

ICT security was improved for the parliamentary departments through the implementation of the Australian Signals Directorate’s top four strategies for mitigating targeted cyber intrusions.

Upgraded assisted-listening device coverage delivered improved accessibility for visitors and occupants of the building who require hearing assistance. Enhancements to parliamentary internet and intranet sites delivered WCAG 2.0 AA standard compliance to make content accessible to a wider range of people with disabilities.

Enhancements to the APH website now provide live streams and on-demand historical footage of Parliament and improved search functionality. A number of Senators’ and Members’ services were made available for the first time on mobile devices for parliamentarians and staff.

Parliamentary Administration Advisory Group

The Parliamentary Administration Advisory Group (PAAG) supports the Parliamentary Heads Group by overseeing the implementation of corporate initiatives and services of common interest across the parliamentary departments. Its members are an SES employee nominated by each of the Parliamentary Heads:

  • Usher of the Black Rod, Department of the Senate
  • Serjeant-at-Arms, Department of the House of Representatives
  • Assistant Parliamentary Budget Officer, Corporate Strategy, Parliamentary Budget Office
  • Chief Operating Officer, Department of Parliamentary Services.

Liaison between the Australian Public Service Commission and the Parliamentary Service

The Commissioner attended a meeting of the heads of the parliamentary departments in February 2015. Representatives of the parliamentary departments and the Commission liaise on relevant issues.

 

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