FULL BENCH REJECTS GOVERNMENT'S APPLICATION FOR DELAY

The Full Bench, sitting on Friday 11th February, rejected a Government Application to abandon Hearing dates set by the Commission. The PSA case will commence on 10 March 2005 as previously scheduled.

PSA was represented by President, Lindsay Oxlad, General Secretary, Jan McMahon, Assistant General Secretary, Nev Kitchin and Chief Industrial Officer, Peter Christopher.

Government had sought to abandon the March 2005 dates allocated for the PSA to put its case and also for the deadline for Discovery to be extended to 31 March 2005. The implications of such a request would have resulted in Arbitration being further delayed.

At today's hearing Counsel for Government advised that compliance with Orders given by the Full Bench regarding Discovery of documents on 2 February 2005 cannot be met.

The PSA argued that this was unacceptable and all Government employees are entitled to a resolution rather than a drawn out process.

Members with knowledge of registry or filing systems are invited to contact the PSA with any relevant information that may assist the prompt identification of documents. This information will assist the PSA to ensure the Government does not delay the process further.

The Full Bench reiterated that the Government provide Discovery documents, as far as practical, by 15 February 2005, with the Parties to discuss priorities and related practical matters that may assist to narrow the scope of documents to be listed.

A further Directions Hearing was scheduled for Monday, 21 February 2005.

PSA is committed to ensuring that a good outcome is achieved as soon as possible for members.

(Industrial Officer, Simon Johnson on 8205 3261 or email spj@cpsu.asn.au)

11 February 2005