Commonwealth Entities Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Senator GREEN (Queensland—Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia) (14:01): In regard to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel—just because we are jumping around a little bit, I'm just confirming that that question is about the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and the direction that would be issued—as I said, it would be of a general nature.

It does ensure that the Office of Parliamentary Counsel would not be required to comply with a direction to the extent that it relates to the First Parliamentary Counsel's performance or exercise of their powers under the Public Service Act and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act. That safeguard ensures that any directions would be consistent with the First Parliamentary Counsel's statutory responsibilities as OPC's accountable authority and agency head.