Government response to the report on the National Integrity (Parliamentary Standards) Bill 2019
[Extract from response letter to President of the Senate]
Dear President
I am writing to convey the Government’s response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee’s report on the National Integrity (Parliamentary Standards) Bill 2019, which predates the 47th Parliament. The Government notes each recommendation of the report. However, given the passage of time since the report was tabled,
a substantive Government response is no longer appropriate.
I would also like to take this opportunity to outline some developments relevant to the Committee’s report and recommendations. The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) was established on 1 October 2023, as an independent statutory agency to drive cultural change, enhance safety, and provide HR support across Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces. It was introduced to implement recommendations from the Set the standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (Set the Standard report), addressing serious issues like bullying, harassment, and sexual assault by offering trauma-informed support, confidential reporting, and independent workplace reviews.
Enforceable behaviour standards and codes of conduct for Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (CPWs) were formally introduced in February 2023, following the Set the Standard report. These standards mandate that parliamentarians and staff act with integrity, respect, and safety, prohibiting bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. The Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC), established in October 2024, now oversees these codes.
Additionally, the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 established the National Anti‑Corruption Commission which commenced operations on 1 July 2023. The National Anti‑Corruption Commission (the Commission) is an independent Commonwealth agency able to detect, investigate and report on serious or systemic corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector, which includes parliamentarians and their offices.
Finally, I would like to note that a government response to the Select Committee into the Political Influence of Donations Report was tabled on 14 May 2024.
Please accept this letter as the Government’s response to the Committee’s report. A copy of this letter has also been provided to Senator Karen Grogan, Chair of the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee.
Yours sincerely
[signature redacted]
Michelle Rowland MP