Opposition and Minority Parties Get More Staff; Prime Minister Cannot Cut These Staff Numbers
Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment (Safe Staffing Guarantee) Bill 2026
Private Member's BillSenate
House of Representatives
Assent
Topics
employment rights government accountability government oversight government transparency public finance
Introduced by: Senator Pauline Hanson (PHON)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
Independent parliamentarians and members of minority parties with fewer than 5 people are now entitled to at least 4 personal employees and 1 Senior Adviser.
The Opposition is now entitled to the highest of 110 personal employees, 25% of total Government staff, or a number set by the Prime Minister. They are also entitled to at least 25% of the number of Government Senior Advisers.
Minority parties with 5 or more members are now entitled to the highest of 20 personal employees, 5% of total Government staff, or a number set by the Prime Minister. They are also entitled to at least 5% of the number of Government Senior Advisers.
The Leader of the Opposition and leaders of minority parties with 5 or more members must decide how to share their group's staff and Senior Adviser allocations among their members.
Parliamentarians cannot hire more personal employees or Senior Advisers than their total allocation allows.
The Prime Minister cannot make rules that reduce the staffing entitlements of parliamentarians or groups who are not part of the Government. Any existing or future rules that do this are void.
The Prime Minister can make temporary rules to help manage the transition to these new staffing arrangements, provided these rules do not create new crimes, taxes, or search powers.