Background:

The Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly each agreed to a resolution establishing the parliamentary integrity adviser in the sitting week of 30 April 2019 (the 2019 resolution). See the 2019 resolution at Appendix 2.

Under the 2019 resolution, the Privileges Committees of the Council and Assembly (the Committee) are required to report on:

(a) a person recommended for appointment as Parliamentary Integrity Adviser; and

(b) the terms and conditions of appointment of the Parliamentary Integrity Adviser, including any remuneration, as agreed in consultation with the Speaker and the President.

The 2019 resolution authorises the committees to meet and confer jointly for the purposes of making these recommendations.

The integrity adviser will:

• Provide general advice to members on integrity matters connected to their role as a member of Parliament, including issues relating to claiming parliamentary allowances, conflicts of interest etc.
• Provide general advice to members on the application of the Code of Conduct in Part 3 of the Members of Parliament (Standards) Act 1978.
• Be available for members to consult with the integrity adviser on ethical issues and integrity matters.
• Provide periodic education and training to members on ethical issues and integrity matters.