Office accommodation and resources
Overarching obligations
The Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 imposes overarching obligations.
The dominant purpose and value for money tests and specified conditions must be met. See s25, 26, 27, 28.
The Commonwealth is not liable to pay an expense or provide a public resource where you contravene any of these obligations (s29, PBR Act).
Office accommodation Resources for offices Responsibilities for electorate, Ministerial and office holder office issues
The Minister may determine that the Commonwealth must provide you with the following for your parliamentary business:
- One or more offices in your electorate
- For Ministers (other than Parliamentary Secretaries), and certain office holders, an office or offices
- Public resources reasonably required for the conduct of your parliamentary business in offices provided by the Commonwealth.
These offices and resources must not be used for any commercial purpose.
Any commercial use of offices or office resources means the Commonwealth is not liable to cover expenses relating to the resource; and you will be required to repay the amount of the claimed resource and a 25% penalty loading may apply.
Office costs are included in your monthly management reports and quarterly expenditure reports.
In addition,
Relevant Legislation:
- ss 32, 33(1) Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017
- ss 71, 72, 73, 74, Parliamentary Business Resources Regulations 2017
Last updated: 04 February 2020