Biographies of senior staff

Claressa Surtees, Clerk of the House of Representatives

Claressa Surtees

Function and responsibilities
Claressa Surtees commenced equally Clerk of the House of Representatives in 2019, appointed for a single term of up to ten years. The Clerk is principal adviser to the Speaker and Members on House and committee proceedings, parliamentary privilege and other parliamentary matters. The Clerk is the administrative head of the Department of the Firm of Representatives, and together with the heads of the other three parliamentary departments, leads the Parliamentary Service. The department is comprised of some 160 staff who provide, administrative and procedural support and advice for the House, and service and support for the international and domestic parliamentary relations for the Parliament as a whole.

Biography
Claressa holds degrees in law and economics. She has worked in the Parliament since 1993. Prior to her date as Clerk, Claressa held the position of Deputy Clerk and has also been Clerk Assistant (Committees), Clerk Assistant (Table) and Serjeant-at-Arms.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra Deed 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4111
Fax (02) 6277 2006
Email Clerk.Reps@aph.gov.au

Mr Peter Banson, Deputy Clerk

Mr Peter Banson

Role and responsibilities
The Deputy Clerk is the 2d most senior official of the Department of the Firm of Representatives is responsible for advising and assisting Members, their staff and officers on matters of parliamentary practice and law, and drafting private members bills and amendments. The Deputy assists the Clerk in the management of the department and during the Clerk's absenteeism performs the duties of Clerk.

Biography
Peter has worked in the Department of the House of Representatives since 2001. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Clerk, Peter was Clerk Assistant (Table), and has also worked in the Procedure Function, Speaker's Office and every bit a Commission Secretarial assistant and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms. He has degrees in scientific discipline and public administration from the Australian National Academy.

Contact data
Section of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4222
Fax (02) 6277 2006
E-mail DepClerk.Reps@aph.gov.au

James Catchpole, Serjeant-at-Artillery

James Catchpole, Serjeant-at-Arms

Role and responsibilities
James Catchpole is the Serjeant-at-Arms in the Section of the House of Representatives, and is responsible for providing advice, services and support for the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives. The primary Chamber responsibilities of the Serjeant during the sittings of the House chronicle to assisting the Speaker to maintain order. The Serjeant-at-Artillery is also the corporate operating officer for the Department, and is responsible for the financial direction, information and publishing, and homo resource, of the Department.

  • More data about the role of the Serjeant-at-Arms

Biography
James commenced as the Serjeant-at-Arms in May 2016. He has worked previously in a number of areas within the Department of Firm of Representatives.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4444
Fax (02) 6277 2006
Electronic mail James.Catchpole.Reps@aph.gov.au

Mr Russell Chafer, Clerk Assistant (Committees)

Mr Russell Chafer

Part and responsibilities
Responsible for the Committee Support expanse of the department. The area provides a range of support services to Business firm of Representatives committees and some articulation committees.

Biography
Russell has worked for the Section since 1993, in that fourth dimension serving equally Secretary to several parliamentary committees as well as Director of the Clerk's Office, Managing director of the International and Parliamentary Relations Part and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms.  Russell was appointed Clerk Assistant (Committees) in March 2022 and likewise serves as the Reconciliation Activity Plan (RAP) Champion for the Department.

Contact information
Department of the Business firm of Representatives
Parliament Business firm
Canberra ACT 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4399
Fax (02) 6277 2396
Electronic mail ClerkAssistant.Committees.Reps@aph.gov.au

Ms Peggy Danaee, Clerk Banana (Procedure)

Peggy Danaee

Function and responsibilities
Peggy Danaee is the Clerk Banana (Procedure) and is responsible for the piece of work of the section's Procedure Part. The Offices provide procedural research and publications on the work of the House and its institutional office, and provides the secretariat to the House Procedure Committee. The Role also contributes to the department's community awareness and capacity edifice activities in relation to parliamentary practice and procedure. On sitting days, the Clerk Assistant (Procedure) also acts every bit Clerk-at-the-Table of the House of Representatives.

Biography
Peggy has worked in the Section of the House of Representatives since 2005 and has undertaken roles in the Table Office, Chamber Enquiry Role, Committee Part and Clerk's Office. Peggy has degrees in scientific discipline and psychology from the University of Sydney, and in public policy from the Australian National Academy.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
PO Box 6021
Parliament House Canberra Deed 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4396
Email ProcedureOffice.reps@aph.gov.au

Dr Glenn Worthington, Clerk Assistant (Table)

Dr Glenn Worthington

Role and responsibilities
Glenn Worthington is the Clerk Banana (Tabular array). He is responsible for those areas of the department which provide programming, procedural and legislative back up to the Bedroom and Federation Chamber of the House, equally well equally the Parliament's international program. He acts equally Clerk-at-the-Table of the House of Representatives.

Biography
Glenn has worked in the Department of the House of Representatives since 2002 in many positions including every bit a Managing director in the Table Office, Commission Secretary and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms. He has degrees in political science from the University of Western Australia and Australian National University.

Contact information
Department of the House of Representatives
PO Box 6021
Parliament House Canberra Act 2600
Telephone (02) 6277 4777
Fax (02) 6277 4517
Electronic mail Glenn.Worthington.Reps@aph.gov.au

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