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Deferral Advice Tool Glossary

Terms Description
Ceases to be an office-holder

A parliamentarian may cease to be an office-holder if:

  • they resign from their position as Leader or Deputy Leader of a recognised political party
  • they lose a contest, or do not re-contest, for Leader or Deputy Leader in a leadership election within a recognised political party
  • the political party provides notification of changes within a recognised political party which has resulted in an employing individual ceasing to hold a relevant office
  • they have their relevant Ministerial appointment revoked by the Governor-General
  • the employing individual ceases to be covered by a determination made under section 4.
Declaration of the poll

When the result of the election is declared. This occurs as soon as practicable after it has been ascertained that a candidate has been elected – in some divisions this may be a week or more after the election.
Deferral period

Where an automatic termination date is deferred for a period of time, instead of taking effect immediately.
Dissolution of the House of Representatives

The act of closing the House of Representatives before calling a federal election. The House of Representatives was dissolved on 28 March 2025.
Office holder
  • a person who holds a relevant office; or
  • a person, not being a parliamentarian, who held the office of Prime Minister; or
  • a parliamentarian in respect of whom a determination under section 4 is in force.
Presiding officer
  • the President of the Senate; or
  • the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Relevant office
  • an office of Minister; or
  • the office of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; or
  • the office of Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives; or
  • an office of leader or deputy leader, in a House of the Parliament, of a recognised political party.
Section 4 determination

A determination, made by the Prime Minister in writing, that a parliamentarian may employ personal employees. This determination has the effect of making the parliamentarian an ‘office-holder’.
Standing / Not Standing

Standing is running or contesting the next election, Not Standing is not running or contesting the next election.
Trigger event

An event specified in Section 14 of the MOP(S) Act which automatically terminates the employment of a MOP(S) Act employee.