This instrument is the Parliamentary Business Resources (Parliamentary Business) Determination 2017.

This instrument commences at the same time as the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

This instrument is made under section 6 of the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

(1) In this instrument:

Act means the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017.

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the definitions section of the Act, including the following:

(a) constituent;

(b) member;

(d) vice regal function.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, an activity specified in a Schedule to this determination is specified whether it takes place within Australia or overseas.

5 Parliamentary business of members

(1) For the purposes of paragraph 6(4)(a) of the Act, the parliamentary duties of a member are the activities specified in Schedule 1 for that member.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph 6(4)(b) of the Act, the electorate duties of a member are the activities specified in Schedule 2 for that member.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph 6(4)(c) of the Act, the party political duties of a member are the activities specified in Schedule 3 for that member.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph 6(4)(d) of the Act, the official duties of a member are the activities specified in Schedule 4 for that member.

Schedule 1—Parliamentary duties

(Act s 6(4)(a))

Column 1

Column 2

Member (or class)

Parliamentary duties

All members who are a senator or member of the House of Representatives

In the member’s capacity as a member of the Parliament:

a) Preparing for, participating in and attending to business arising from proceedings of the Parliament, whether by committee of the whole or otherwise;

b) Developing, reviewing or amending legislation or proposed legislation, and activities engaged in for that purpose;

c) Undertaking research, communication (including with stakeholders) or administration connected with the business of the Parliament, the member’s policy portfolio, or their role as a member;

d) Preparing for, participating in, or attending to matters arising from an official government, parliamentary or vice regal meeting, event or function;

e) Preparing for, participating in and attending to matters arising from a meeting (including with stakeholders), event or function for the purposes of their role as a member, including in relation to the member’s policy portfolio;

f) Preparing for, participating in, or attending to business arising from a non-Parliamentary committee, taskforce or other formal group in which the member participates;

g) Representing the Parliament, in accordance with an approval of the Parliament or a House of the Parliament, and engaging in associated activities for that purpose;

h) Representing a Minister or office holder in their official capacity, at the request of that Minister or office holder, at a meeting, event or function;

i) Representing the Government or Australia, with the approval of the Prime Minister.

Note: For Ministers representing the Government or Australia in their capacity as a Minister, this would be part of the member’s official duties (see Schedule 4).

Schedule 2—Electorate duties

(Act s 6(4)(b))

Column 1

Column 2

Member (or class)

Electorate duties

All members who are a senator or member of the House of Representatives

In the member’s capacity as their constituent’s elected representative:

a) Facilitating and participating in debate, discussion, a meeting, event or function, or undertaking research or administrative functions relating to matters of importance or interest to constituents (including matters that do not relate exclusively to constituents, such as matters of national importance);

b) Otherwise communicating with constituents;

c) Representing the views and interests of constituents.

Schedule 3—Party political duties

(Act s 6(4)(c))

Column 1

Column 2

Member (or class)

Party political duties

All members who are a senator or member of the House of Representatives

In respect of the political party to which the member belongs, participating in any of the following in their capacity as an elected Senator or member of the House of Representatives:

a) a formal meeting of the political party (including a meeting of the party executive, a committee or a subcommittee);

b) a national, state or territory conference.

Schedule 4—Official duties

(Act s 6(4)(d))

Column 1

Column 2

Member (or class)

Official duties

All office holders and Ministers of State

In the member’s official capacity (being their capacity as a Minister or office holder, as the case may be):

a) Exercising the powers or functions, or performing the duties, of the member’s office, or activities engaged in for the purposes of doing so;

b) Attending an event to which the member has been invited in their official capacity;

c) Other activities directly related to, and engaged in for the purposes of, performing the member’s official role.