Parliamentary Business Resources obligations

Last updated
04 February 2021

The Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017 (PBR Act) framework recognises that parliamentarians should be provided with expenses, allowances or other public resources for their parliamentary business, but they have obligations to the public to use these resources appropriately.

You must ensure when you claim public resources that you meet the conditions that apply to those resources and your PBR obligations. If you contravene your PBR obligations, your claim may be rejected or have to be repaid, and a penalty loading of 25% may be applicable.

The PBR obligations do not apply to your remuneration, including salary, electorate allowance, private plated vehicles, and residential internet and telephone services.

Parliamentary business (dominant purpose test)

You may claim or use public resources only where it is for the dominant purpose of conducting your parliamentary business.

Value for money

All claims you make or expenses you incur must achieve value for money, taking into account the need to conduct your parliamentary business.

Ethical obligations

You must act ethically and in good faith in claiming and using public resources. You are personally responsible and accountable for your use of public resources, and you must be prepared to justify this publicly.

Conditions for claiming

You may only make a claim or incur expenses when all conditions in relation to the public resources are met. There are a number of restrictions which apply to specific resources, such as office expenses including printing and communication costs.

Accountability

While MaPS has a role in providing you and your staff with advice and assistance, it remains your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the resources available to you, and the conditions applying to those resources
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