The Standing Committee on Appropriations, Staffing and Security, appointed under standing order 19, determines the amounts for inclusion in the parliamentary appropriation bills and reports to the Senate on its determinations prior to the Senate’s consideration of those bills.

The Committee examines matters affecting the staffing and administration of the Department of the Senate, including proposals to vary the staffing structure, and other matters referred to it by the Senate. The Committee makes an annual report to the Senate on the operations of the Senate’s appropriations and staffing and related matters (standing order 19(3)).

Under a resolution of the Senate agreed to in 1987 the Committee also examines proposed changes in the structure and responsibilities of the parliamentary departments and, following the adoption by the Senate on 27 November 2012 of the recommendation in the Committee’s 54^th Report, the Committee may advise the President and the Senate on the administration and funding of information and communications technology services for the Parliament.

Following the adoption by the Senate on 25 March 2015 of a recommendation in the Procedure Committee’s First Report of 2015, the Committee also considers the administration, operation and funding of security measures affecting the Senate, and advises the President and the Senate accordingly.

The Committee is chaired by the President and includes the Deputy President and the Senate Leaders of the Government and the Opposition as ex officio members.

John Begley (Secretary)