Ministers and Members of the Legislature (Salaries and Pensions) Amendment Act

What this bill does

This bill makes changes to how Members of Parliament and Senators handle their pension contributions and death benefits. It allows MPs and Senators to voluntarily keep paying into their pensions during the period when contributions were suspended (July 2020 to June 2021), and creates a new death benefit equal to one year's salary for serving members.

If passed (voted YES)

• MPs and Senators can choose to make voluntary pension contributions during the suspension period to maintain their full pension benefits
• Families of MPs or Senators who die while in office will receive a lump sum payment equal to one year's basic parliamentary salary
• Members who contribute during the suspension period will have that time count toward their pension eligibility and calculations

If rejected (voted NO)

• MPs and Senators cannot make up for the missed pension contributions during 2020-2021, potentially reducing their future pension benefits
• No death benefit would be available for families of serving members who pass away
• The suspension period would not count toward pension calculations unless members find other ways to make contributions

Who it affects

This primarily affects current and future Members of Parliament, Senators, and their families. It also impacts the families and estates of any parliamentary members who die while serving in office.