PUBLIC SECTOR BILL DEVELOPMENTS

Parliament's Lower House, The House of Assembly, today considered the Public Sector Bill, and the amendments made by the Legislative Council.

Since the draft Bill was first released by Government the PSA has successfully negotiated with the Opposition, Greens, Democrats, Family First and Independents in the Upper House for significant changes to improve the legislation.

The PSA's position was to focus upon achieving key changes to protect members and the integrity of the Public Sector.

The Bill has now passed the Lower House with a number of amendments being made. Notwithstanding these amendments many of the Legislative Council changes have been adopted and the Bill has been significantly improved from its original form.

It is now expected that the Bill will be passed by the Upper House later this week.

Key changes (in the order amendments were dealt with) include:

• Whistle-blowing protections are improved, through the Bill and consequent regulations.

• The role for the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has been expanded and now includes the capacity to self-initiate Reviews into Agencies.

• The Code of Conduct provisions have been improved.

• Reclassification Appeals are guaranteed.

• Termination by Chief Executives can occur, but in a framework requiring the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment to be informed and 14 days for advice to be considered now a requirement. An Appeal to the Industrial Relations Commission also exists.

• Any suspension will be with pay except in defined circumstances.

• An Appeal right exists for transfers necessitating change of residence.

• Grievance Appeal Tribunals have been re-instated to the legislation.

Although the PSA does have concerns regarding a number of aspects of the legislation, the above changes reflect significant improvements from the Government's original proposal.

PSA Chief Industrial Officer Peter Christopher on 8205 3220 or e-mail pgc@cpsu.asn.au.