What is a Chief of Staff? What do they do? Who gets one?
Hi, thanks for your question
A Chief of Staff is not a parliamentary position. They are a senior staff position in a member of parliament’s office. Not every member of parliament has a Chief of Staff. They are usually employed by members who have the heaviest workloads and the most staff to manage, such as the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and ministers.
Members of parliament may choose to employ a Chief of Staff and decide what responsibilities their Chief of Staff should have. Their job is to generally manage the member of parliament’s office but the exact duties and responsibilities are decided by that member of parliament.
Member of the House of Representatives talking to their advisers
DPS Auspic
Member of the House of Representatives talking to their advisers
DPS Auspic
Description
Two members of the House of Representatives standing next to the advisers' box to talk to their staff members, called advisers, during Question Time in the House. The advisers are sitting in benches in the box. Members of parliament must move to the advisers’ box if they need to speak with their staff, as advisers are not permitted to move around the room. The members are looking at a laptop as they speak to the advisers. Advisers can bring papers, books or laptops into the advisers' box to help quickly provide information to members of parliament.
Permission should be sought from DPS AUSPIC for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact DPS AUSPIC email: auspic@aph.gov.au or phone: 02 6277 3342.