Senators and members receive an annual allowance by way of basic salary—$190 550 from 1 July 2012. This background note explains the legislative basis, fixing and linking mechanisms for the allowance. Adjustments to the base salary since 1968 are provided in Table 1 and Graph 1. Background: Section 48 of the Constitution provides for the...

This background note provides a summary of Commonwealth parliamentary superannuation benefits in place prior to the 2004 general election. It provides explanation, hyperlinks and documents pertaining to the operation of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Scheme (the PCSS). A table of eligibility requirements and benefits under the Scheme is given. The background note should be read...

This background note highlights some key public statements by Australian Government officials on the Arab-Israeli conflict as a way of illustrating Australia’s evolving policies towards the Middle East. It focuses on Australia’s publicly stated position on Palestinian statehood, but also references Australia’s response to the many developments concerning the Arab-Israeli dispute over the years. The...

This background note examines the Australian Government's response to key developments relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2007, as well as broader Government statements on the nature of the conflict and its possible resolution. This paper complements another Parliamentary Library Background Note, Australia and the Middle East conflict: a history of key Government statements (1947–2007)...

This paper provides details on women elected to Australian parliaments since 1921, in chronological order of election. This publication updates work published by David Black in 1966 under the title Women parliamentarians in Australia 1921–1996: a register of women members of Commonwealth, State and Territory Parliaments in Australia. Professor Black provided electronic copies of his...