[no bill text published] Parliamentary approval requirements for Commonwealth public consultancy contracts over $2 million
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Public Consultancy and Services Contracts Bill 2025
Private Member's Bill1st House
2nd House
Law
Introduced by: Richard Colbeck (LIB)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Commonwealth entities cannot sign public consultancy contracts worth more than $2 million without a Committee report and parliamentary approval.
The Committee must investigate and report on these contracts to both Houses of Parliament.
The Minister must give the Committee the contract's purpose; they must also explain why a consultant is being used.
Parliament can block a contract by resolving to disapprove it within five sitting days of the report.
Both Houses can send a contract back to the Committee for further review before it is signed.
The Minister can bypass these rules by declaring a contract is urgent in writing.
Parliament can exempt a specific contract from these rules; the Minister must then table a statement explaining why.