About the Commission
The Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission will be an independent body to receive, manage and resolve reports of parliamentary misconduct, including inappropriate parliamentary workplace behaviour, by Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
The Commission will also have jurisdiction to deal with certain public interest complaints referred to it by the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).
The Commission will support the integrity of the Parliament and promote a respectful and safe parliamentary workplace.
It will be led by up to three independent Commissioners who will draw on their collective expertise to deliver the functions of the Commission.
The Commission’s Chair will also be responsible for employing staff and other administrative and corporate functions required for the Commission’s operations.
The Commission has been established in response to recommendations of the 2022 joint IBAC and Victorian Ombudsman’s Operation Watts report.
Its design also draws on the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (Jenkins Report).
The Government engaged with a broad range of stakeholders on the development of the Commission, including MPs, parliamentary committees, integrity bodies and other experts and public offices across law, workplace standards, human rights, equal opportunity, and gender equality.
The Commission can only accept reports about alleged misconduct that occurred on or after 31 December 2024.
Commissioners
Mr David Wolf
Chair and Commissioner
Mr David Wolf is currently Deputy Commissioner at IBAC, where he has led the public sector portfolio since 2020.
He was previously Victoria’s first Chief Municipal Inspector as the head of the Local Government Inspectorate.
He has extensive leadership experience and expertise in complaints assessment and public interest disclosure protection frameworks.
Ms Natasha de Silva
Sessional Commissioner
Ms Natasha de Silva is a former senior executive at the Australian Human Rights Commission, where she worked with the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Kate Jenkins, on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces.
She has experience in confidential investigations of misconduct and is recognised nationally and internationally for her expertise in human rights, gender equality, and discrimination.
Key dates
The Commission will be established on 31 December 2024.
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