Travel and Replacement Staff Arrangements During Negotiations for a New Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement (Cth)

DETERMINATION 2023/21

Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984

TRAVEL AND REPLACEMENT STAFF ARRANGEMENTS DURING NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW COMMONWEALTH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT STAFF ENTERPRISE AGREEMENT

I, DON FARRELL, Special Minister of State, for and on behalf of the Prime Minister, determine under section 13 of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MOP(S) Act) that, with effect on and from the date of this determination:

1. The associated travel costs[1] of an employee who:

(a) is a bargaining representative to negotiate an enterprise agreement to replace the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027; and

(b) whose travel is subject to the electorate support budget (ESB),

are not debited from the ESB of the employing Senator or Member when the employee travels for the purpose of attending a negotiation meeting, provided that the travel to the meeting location is not also for other official business.

2. Where the travel is also for other official business, only the additional travel costs associated with the negotiation meeting are not debited from the employing Senator or Member's ESB.

3. A Senator or Member who has an employee that is a bargaining representative may employ replacement staff for up to 20 days at the bargaining representative's classification, or a lower classification. Replacement employment in accordance with this item is not debited from the ESB.

4. Where a bargaining representative resigns or their employment under the MOP(S) Act is terminated, the unused portion of the 20 days is forfeited.

5. The Special Minister of State may approve additional days of replacement employment.

6. This determination revokes at the commencement of the new enterprise agreement.