2008

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (MEMBERS’ STAFF) AMENDMENT BILL 2008

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Circulated by authority of 
Wayne Berry MLA 

Overview of Bill
The Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Amendment Bill (the Bill) makes a number of amendments to the Legislative Assembly (Members’ Staff) Act 1989  to give effect to the clause in the Assembly Members’ Code of Conduct which requires that members not employ family members.

Financial Implications
The Bill does not contain any financial implications.

Details of the Bill
Amendments 1, 2 and 3 are formal requirements that respectively refer to the name of the Act, the commencement provisions and the legislation amended.

Amendment 4 inserts a new provision that an office-holder must not employ a family member.

Amendment 5 inserts a new provision that a member of the Assembly must not employ a family member.

Amendment 6 inserts a new provision that an office-holder must not engage a family member as a consultant or contractor.  It also prohibits employment if a consultant or contractor is a corporation which has a director who is a family member.

Amendment 7 inserts a new provision that a member of the Assembly must not engage a family member as a consultant or contractor.  It also prohibits employment if a consultant or contractor is a corporation which has a director who is a family member.

Amendment 8 inserts a dictionary note relating to domestic partner and sitting day.

Amendment 9 provides the dictionary for the categories of family member covered by the Bill.