Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2024A00086:clause:1_24a
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2024A00086
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 24A
Character Range: 28948–31256

24A  Simplified outline of this Part

      This Part establishes the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission.
      The IPSC consists of:
             (a) the Commissioners; and
             (b) persons made available by the CEO to assist the IPSC to perform its functions.
      The functions of the IPSC include:
             (a) assisting the Commissioners in the performance of their functions; and
             (b) publishing guidance about its functions and the functions of the Commissioners.
      The Commissioners are able to investigate conduct issues that arise from a complaint or referral made to the IPSC, or that the Chair Commissioner becomes aware of in any other way.
      A conduct issue is an issue of whether a person has engaged in relevant conduct. Relevant conduct means:
             (a) pre‑Code conduct, which is certain conduct engaged in by parliamentarians, MOPS employees or non‑core participants before the Behaviour Codes have commenced; or
             (b) post‑Code conduct, which is conduct in breach of a Behaviour Code that is engaged in by any Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participant.
      If a person is found to have engaged in such conduct, the Commissioners may:
             (a) recommend actions to be taken against the person; and
             (b) if the person is a current or former parliamentarian—impose sanctions on the person; and
             (c) if the person is a current member of a House of the Parliament and a serious breach finding is made—refer the finding to the Privileges Committee of that House.
      Division 4 provides for internal reviews of decisions made by Commissioners.
      Division 5 deals with the process for referring a serious breach finding to the Privileges Committee of a House of the Parliament.
      Division 6 deals with information‑gathering powers, confidentiality notices, and the circumstances in which an entrusted person may record or disclose information.
      Division 7 sets out the Commissioners' power to make public statements about conduct issues that were or are before the IPSC.
      Division 8 provides protections and immunities for persons who make complaints about or refer conduct issues, or provide other information, under this Act.

Subdivision B—Key concepts for the IPSC