Parliament of South Australia
Information Sheet No 3
March 2003
House of Assembly
T
he Joint Parliamentary Service Committee (JPSC) is established pursuant to the
Parliament (Joint Services) Act 1985 and is comprised of the President of the
Legislative Council, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, two Members of the
Legislative Council appointed by the Legislative Council and two Members of the
House of Assembly appointed by the House of Assembly. The Members appointed
by each House must include one from the Government and one from the Opposition.
JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE COMMITTEE
Alternate members for each member of the Committee are also appointed by the
respective Houses and may act as a member in the absence of the member for
whom they are appointed as alternate member.
The Committee is chaired by one or other of the Presiding Officers, in alternation,
each acting for a calendar year. The Committee holds meetings, both in and out of
session on the fourth Monday of each month. The Secretary to the Committee is the
Clerk of the House whose presiding officer is currently Chairman of the Committee.
ROLE OF THE JPSC
The JPSC is responsible for the administration of the Joint Parliamentary Service
which comprises the Parliamentary Reporting Division, the Parliamentary Library
Division, the Catering Division and the Joint Services Division. Each Division is
administered by a Chief Officer who is responsible to the JPSC for its efficient
management. The Chief Officers together constitute a Management Panel for the
purposes of a consistent and efficient approach to the management of the Joint
Parliamentary Service. The Panel reports to the JPSC on aspects of the
management and operation of the Joint Parliamentary Service.
The Parliament (Joint Service) Act also establishes a Management Advisory
Committee comprising the Clerk of the Legislative Council, the Clerk of the House of
Assembly and the Chief Officer of each Division of the Joint Parliamentary Service.
This committee is for the consideration of matters in regard to the management and
working conditions of the staff of the entire Parliament and can make
recommendations to the JPSC, the President or the Speaker.
STAFF
The Act provides for the employment of staff for the purposes of providing services to
the Parliament necessary for its operation and describes procedures for the
appointment and classification of all staff, other than those directly employed by the
two Houses, and the application of other legislation in relation to their conditions of
employment.
THE DIVISIONS
PARLIAMENTARY REPORTING DIVISION (HANSARD)
Hansard provides reporting services to both Houses and its Committees and edits
and distributes copy in both printed and electronic form. Hansards Chief Officer is
the Leader of Hansard.
1