Key Points
- Determinations have been signed which give effect to the provision of additional front line electorate office resources, announced as part of the 2023-24 Budget. Additional provisions have been included under
- Determination 2023/10 Staff Travel and Relief Staff Arrangements to provide enhanced flexibility and clarity for parliamentarians and staff.
- The Determinations have been published on the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (MaPS) Website.
Effective from 1 July 2023, one additional full-time equivalent Electorate Officer B (EOB) position and an additional eight points of Electorate Staff Allowance (ESA) will be allocated to each parliamentarian. In addition, the nominated traveller entitlement that 
is currently only available to certain office holders will also be extended to all parliamentarians to enable one electorate staff member to travel as directed on official parliamentary business without debit to the parliamentarian's Electorate Support Budget (ESB).
To give effect to these budget measures, I have signed Determination 2023/09 Employment of Electorate Officers and Determination 2023/10 Staff Travel and Relief Staff Arrangements which have revoked the preceding Determination 2016/15 — Employment of Electorate Officers and Determination 2020/15 — Staff Travel and Relief Staff Arrangements, with effect from 30 June 2023,
I have also signed Direction 2023/11 - Additional Electorate Staff Allowance to amend provisions under the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2020-23 (MOPS EA) to increase the maximum points of ESA available to a parliamentarian.
The Direction does not enable MOP(S) Act staff to exceed the number of points available to an individual, which remains as a maximum of 16 points. Additional enhancements to Staff Travel and Relief Staff Arrangements Determination.
The updated determination permits parliamentarians to make up to three changes within a financial year to a nomination made under clause 5 or 6 of the Determination. These three changes allow parliamentarians flexibility to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances or staffing arrangement changes that arise throughout the financial year.
Further, the determination has been updated to specify that employees, other than senior staff (employees above the level of Adviser) are to travel at economy class. Senior staff who are required to travel on official business, by air, rail, road or sea are limited to a fare which shall not exceed the cost of business class.
The determination also provides for Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) travelling for training purposes without debit from their parliamentarian's Electorate Support Budget (ESB).
Support and guidance
The Determinations have been published on the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (MaPS) Website.
Finance is finalising guidance material and frequently asked questions in consultation with the Employee Consultative Group (ECG). These will be distributed once finalised.
In the meantime, further queries can be directed to the Ministerial and Parliamentary Services Help Desk by email on mpshelp@finance.gov.au or by phone on 02 6215 3333 (option 1).
For assistance and support relating to recruitment and office restructures, please email MOPSSupport@finance.gov.au or phone 02 6215 3333 (option 2).
Yours sincerely
Don Farrell
Special Minister of State
20 June 2023