Arrangements on Ceasing as a Minister or Office Holder

Parliament House

You will need to vacate your former office in the Ministerial Wing of Parliament House as soon as practicable. Your former portfolio department is responsible for removing any additional furniture, equipment and facilities. The Ministerial Wing support team is also available to assist.

If you remain a Member of Parliament, your Presiding Officer will allocate you a suite in the relevant chamber. Your chamber department is responsible for the allocation of furniture and equipment for these suites.

Ministerial Office

If you had a separate Ministerial office, your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will assist with the relocation of items from that office and arrange for a stocktake of official items with officers of your former portfolio department.

Combined Ministerial/Electorate Office

If you had a combined Ministerial/Electorate Office, officers of your former portfolio department will conduct a stocktake of official items and remove them.

Separate Electorate Office

If you remain a Member of Parliament, no changes will be made to existing electorate office arrangements except that any additional equipment or facilities provided by your former portfolio department will be removed at the end of the settling-out period after a stocktake by officers of the portfolio department.

Records

It is normal practice that on ceasing office you will:

• return departmental records (both electronic and hardcopy) to your former portfolio department;
• destroy Cabinet papers issued to you, keeping a record of documents destroyed (including copy numbers) and advising the Cabinet Secretariat (as outlined in the Cabinet Handbook). The Cabinet Secretariat will provide detailed guidance on disposal procedures; and
• deposit other official records, including those that originated in your office, with the National Archives of Australia. The National Archives seek to acquire the personal papers of Prime Ministers, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, to ensure the retention of valuable official records and related private material.

Parliament House

Allocation of suites provided to Parliamentary Secretaries is arranged by the Presiding Officers. Your chamber department can assist with enquiries related to Parliament House accommodation, including where you may need to relocate to another suite. Your former portfolio department is responsible for removing any additional furniture, equipment and facilities provided by the department.

Electorate Office

If you remain a Member of Parliament, no changes will be made to existing electorate office arrangements except that any additional equipment or facilities provided by your former portfolio department will be removed at the end of the settling-out period after a stocktake by officers of the portfolio department.

Records

It is normal practice that on ceasing office you will:

• return departmental records (both electronic and hardcopy) to your former portfolio department;
• destroy Cabinet papers issued to you, keeping a record of documents destroyed (including copy numbers) and advising the Cabinet Secretariat (as outlined in the Cabinet Handbook). The Cabinet Secretariat will provide detailed guidance on disposal procedures; and
• deposit other official records, including those that originated in your office, with the National Archives of Australia. The National Archives seek to acquire the personal papers of Prime Ministers, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries, to ensure the retention of valuable official records and related private material.

Parliament House

A former Presiding Officer will need to vacate his or her Parliament House office within the period determined by the incumbent Presiding Officer. Your chamber department can assist with enquiries related to your Parliament House accommodation. Your chamber department is responsible for removing any additional furniture, equipment and facilities provided in your capacity as the Presiding Officer.

If you remain a Member of Parliament, the incumbent Presiding Officer will allocate you a suite in the relevant chamber. Your chamber department is responsible for the allocation of furniture and equipment for these suites.

Office Holder Office

If you formerly had a separate Office Holder office as a Presiding Officer, your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager and officers from the Department of Parliamentary Services will arrange for a stocktake of items provided at Commonwealth expense; and your former department will assist with the relocation of any items belonging to that department.

Electorate Office

If you remain a Member of Parliament, no changes will be made to existing electorate office arrangements (whether a combined Office Holder / Electorate office or a separate electorate office) during the currency of the existing lease, except that your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will conduct a stocktake of any additional equipment or facilities which were provided to you in your capacity as a Presiding Officer and remove them.

Records

It is normal practice that on ceasing office you will return departmental records (both electronic and hardcopy) to your former department.

Parliament House

A former Senior Office Holder who is a member of the Opposition will need to vacate his or her office within the period determined by the incumbent Presiding Officer. Your chamber department can assist with enquiries related to your Parliament House accommodation.

If you remain a Member of Parliament, your Presiding Officer will allocate you a suite in the relevant chamber. Your chamber department is responsible for the allocation of furniture and equipment for these suites.

Office Holder Office

If you formerly had a separate Office Holder office as a Senior Office Holder who is a member of the Opposition, your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will conduct a stocktake and assist you to relocate items from your former Office Holder office.

Electorate Office

If you remain a Member of Parliament, no changes will be made to existing electorate office arrangements (whether a combined Office Holder / Electorate office or a separate electorate office) during the currency of the existing lease, except that your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will conduct a stocktake of any additional equipment or facilities which were provided to you in your capacity as a Senior Office Holder who is a member of the Opposition and remove them.

Parliament House

A former Leader of a Minority Party will need to vacate his or her office within the period determined by the incumbent Presiding Officer. Your chamber department can assist with enquiries related to your Parliament House accommodation.

If you remain a Member of Parliament, your Presiding Officer will allocate you a suite in the relevant chamber. Your chamber department is responsible for the allocation of furniture and equipment for these suites.

Office Holder Office

If you formerly had a separate Office Holder office as the Leader of a Minority Party, your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will conduct a stocktake and assist you to relocate items from your former Office Holder office.

Electorate Office

If you remain a Member of Parliament, no changes will be made to existing electorate office arrangements (whether a combined Office Holder / Electorate office or a separate electorate office) during the currency of the existing lease, except that your Ministerial and Parliamentary Services State Manager will conduct a stocktake of any additional equipment or facilities which were provided to you in your capacity as a Leader of a Minority Party and remove them.