Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Parliamentary Frameworks Legislation Amendment (Reviews) Bill 2026; Second Reading

House of Representatives · Tuesday 10 March 2026

Continued from Wednesday 4 March 2026.

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate concerned a bill to align statutory reviews of three key parliamentary workplace acts into a single holistic assessment. Government members argued that combining reviews of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act, the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act, and the Parliamentary Business Resources Act would improve efficiency, ensure frameworks remain fit for purpose, and support cultural reform following the Set the standard report. The opposition supported the principle of reviewing these systems but criticised the government for failing to implement previous resourcing recommendations and for actions that undermined opposition capacity. The bill was passed without amendment.

Outcome

The bill was read a second time and reported to the House without amendment.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Continued the debate

Tim Wilson (Goldstein) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Wilson stated that the coalition supported the government's aim to simplify parliamentary frameworks and agreed with conducting statutory reviews. However, Wilson argued that the government had failed to act on recommendations from the independent review of resourcing in parliamentarians' offices, which found that current resources were insufficient for modern demands. Wilson contended that the government had increased pressure on opposition workplaces by dismissing experienced staff, thereby hindering the opposition's ability to scrutinise government actions effectively. Wilson urged the government to implement outstanding resourcing recommendations and consider returning to bipartisan resourcing arrangements.

Government response

Patrick Gorman (Perth) (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister; Assistant Minister for the Public Service; Assistant Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) ALP

Gorman summarised the debate by highlighting the bill's role in addressing complex, interacting legislative frameworks that govern parliamentary workplaces. Gorman noted that the legislation builds on progress made following the Set the standard report, which identified issues such as power imbalances and poor workplace culture. Gorman emphasised that combining the reviews would allow for a comprehensive examination of whether current systems are fit for purpose and support a safe, dignified working environment for the thousands of staff employed in parliament. Gorman commended the bill for facilitating this holistic review process.