The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) Industrial Liaison Committee (ILC) is the major vehicle for consultation with unions who have members in DFC. The Committee provides an opportunity for information to be provided by DFC management on new initiatives and ongoing projects across DFC and for the unions to pursue matters of concern affecting DFC members.

The Public Service Association (PSA) Industrial Officer, Sue Cummins, recently attended the first meeting for 2009. Other unions who now regularly attend this consultative forum are the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union (LHMU), Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) and South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA), since Disability SA and Domiciliary Care SA were transitioned into DFC.

The key issues dealt with at the meeting were:

• MULLIGHAN REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS – An update on government actions flowing from the recommendations were given. The focus in the APY lands is on governance and greater across-agency cooperation. SA Health (SAH) and the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) are regularly meeting with DFC. The promised additional three Social Work positions on the APY lands have now been filled. One social worker is school based and two social workers are in Child Protection. Report recommendations involving legislative change are expected to be addressed in Parliament in the first half of 2009. Government housing is a key issue and the tender process has commenced for the building of eight houses.

The PSA has requested a summary on the progress of the recommendations in each agency within DFC for the next meeting.

• INTRODUCTION OF KRONOS FUNCTION – Concerns were raised in relation to the KRONOS Software program's capacity to correctly calculate leave for Disability Service Officers (DSO'S). The PSA raised concerns about the additional workloads/resources, especially in country regions for administrative staff,(eg Mount Gambier) who already had concerns prior to the implementation of KRONOS about the loss of administrative support. Whilst understanding that that an additional 2 FTE has been put in place to manage KRONOS across the state, the PSA is still concerned about the administrative support. This is being investigated by Human Resources and an update will be provided at the next meeting.

• STAFFING/STRUCTURAL CHANGE ACROSS DFC – This will be a standing item on future agendas. It was reported that the Executive Leadership Group has been established, with some reporting line changes.

• LEGISLATION (any Bills introduced into parliament that may impact on members in DFC and will be a standing item on future agendas) – A status report on the Public Sector Bill and issues that are being pursued by the PSA were provided. Detailed information on the progress of the Bill through the House of Assembly is being continually provided to members. It is expected that amendments to the Bill which address issues identified by the PSA will be pursued by the Opposition and others in the Legislative Council. The stance taken by members of the Upper House has brought the role of that chamber into clear focus as a body that can amend flawed legislation and act as a genuine house of review. Management reported that they were investigating the implications of the Bill if passed without amendments.

• DISABILITY SA IDSC AWARD VARIATION CONVERSION – Concerns were raised regarding the delay in the implementation of the new structure for Disability Service Officers. This agreed structure was ratified in the Industrial Commission on 30 October 2008 is be backdated to 1 April 2008. The PSA raised concern that the old classification structure may be still being used for new staff and this was adding to the costs of back payments. Management advised that a Project Officer will manage this process for the next two months and agreed to provide an update and time frame for the implementation to be forwarded with the minutes.

• RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PRACTICE (ROPP) FOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND OTHER ELIGIBLE ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS – The PSA advised discussions had commenced with SA Health in relation to the development of a draft ROPP model. A half day workforce meeting occurred recently where all the issues were discussed (eg CP's being on fixed hours and Salaried Medical Officers (SMO's) on no fixed hours). The PSA understands that SA Health are already keeping DFC informed of the progress and understands formal discussions with other public sector agencies and Public Sector Workforce Relations (PSWR) will occur, once agreement has been reached on a draft ROPP Model.

The PSA welcomes any issues members may wish to raise for future industrial forums. Please forward any issues to PSA industrial Officer Sue Cummins on email sc@cpsu.asn.au

For general enquiries about specific agency issues, please contact your Industrial Officer for your area:

DISABILITY SA - Sue Cummins on telephone 8205 3260 or email sc@cpsu.asn.au

HOUSING SA - Steve Acton on telephone 8205 3264 or email sja@cpsu.asn.au

FAMILIES SA - Vanessa Ravenhill on telephone 8205 3251 or email vr@cpsu.asn.au

DOMICILIARY CARE SA & FAMILIES SA (SECURE CARE) - Jean-Guy Townsend on telephone 8205 3238 or email jgt@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR YOU