The issue of parliamentary salaries, allowances and entitlements continues to generate interest and comment. This background note sets out recent major changes to the parliamentary remuneration and entitlements regime, including the authority and governing legislation and explains how different aspects of parliamentary remuneration and entitlements are regulated. It does not include commentary on government policy...

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...

On 28 June 2012, the Prime Minister (Julia Gillard) and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Chris Bowen) announced that the Government had invited Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (Ret’d), the former chief of Australia’s defence force, to lead an expert panel to provide a report on the best way forward for Australia...