This research paper provides comprehensive information on the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (Cth) (MoPS Act) employment framework including recent developments, staff figures, and staffing trends. The paper also updates and expands a previous Parliamentary Library publication on employment issues associated with the MoPS Act. The following employment issues are considered:

• the adequacy of the MoPS Act framework and institutional arrangements

• base salary value

• employment security, and

• ministerial staff management and professional development.

A future paper will consider accountability issues associated with the MoPS Act.