LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION: With position comes privileges, allowances, and responsibilities

With position comes privileges, allowances, and responsibilities.

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

HIS DUTIES

1. To lead the opposition in presenting alternative views in parliamentary debates on policies, bills and motions

2. To lead and organise the scrutiny of the Government’s positions and actions in Parliament

3. To be consulted on the appointment of opposition members to parliamentary select committees, including standing select committees such as the public accounts committee

4. To be called upon, on occasion, to take on other duties such as attending official state functions and taking part in visits and meetings alongside members of the Government and the public service.

HIS PRIVILEGES AND RESOURCES

1. Parliamentary privileges: He will be given the right of first response among Members of Parliament (MPs) and to ask the lead question to the ministers on policies, bills and motions, subject to existing speaking conventions. He will also have more time for his speeches, equivalent to that given to political office-holders.

2. He will receive confidential briefings by the Government on select matters of national security and external relations, and in the event of a national crisis or emergency.

3. Allowance: He will receive an allowance that is double that of an elected MP, or $385,000 a year.

4. Manpower support: He will be provided an office and the use of a meeting room in Parliament House. He will also receive allowances to hire up to three additional legislative assistants. This is in addition to the allowances all MPs receive for one legislative assistant and one secretarial assistant. He will also be provided with a secretary to support him administratively with parliamentary business.