Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1        On 2 October 2014, the Parliamentary Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (the bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives by the Minister for Social Services (Minister), the Hon Kevin Andrews MP.[1] The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on 28 October 2014[2] and introduced into the Senate on 29 October 2014.[3]

1.2        On 2 October 2014, the Senate, through the Selection of Bills Committee Report, referred the provisions of the bill to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee (the committee) for inquiry and report by 24 November 2014.[4]

Purpose of the bill

1.3        On 9 November 2013, the Government announced changes to the parliamentary entitlements framework which requires amendments to the Parliamentary Entitlements Act 1990 (Parliamentary Entitlements Act).

1.4        On 13 May 2014, as part of the 2014-15 budget, the Government announced changes to the Life Gold Pass travel entitlement which requires amendments to the Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) Act 2002 (Life Gold Pass Act).

1.5        The bill gives effect to these changes announced by the Government.[5]

Conduct of the inquiry

1.6        Details of the inquiry, including links to the bill and associated documents, were placed on the committee's website at: www.aph.gov.au/senate_fpa.

1.7        The committee also directly contacted a number of relevant organisations to notify them of the inquiry and invite submissions by 7 November 2014. Submissions received by the committee are listed at Appendix 1.

1.8        The committee decided to prepare its report on the basis of submissions received and available information. The committee thanks those who assisted by providing submissions to the inquiry.

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