News Flash

Cabinet this week has approved a Targeted Voluntary Separation Package (TVSP) to apply immediately to currently identified redeployees. This is expected to be applicable to approximately 390 persons only. The scheme will expire on 30 June 2006.

The PSA received advice of this from the Commissioner for Public Employment late this afternoon, Wednesday, 24 May 2006.

The scheme will provide for an extra 12 weeks on top of the previous maximum of 104 weeks.

At a time when members in most Agencies are experiencing workload problems, and skills shortages exist for many classifications the PSA regards a TVSP proposal to pay workers to leave employment as a waste of public money. The PSA believes that programs to place redeployees in areas of identified staff shortages would be more appropriate use of funding.

The PSA recognises that the Treasurer has commissioned a review of Agency Budgets. It is the PSA's view that while Health and Education have identified needs for additional resources that other Agencies cannot continue to provide services to the community with ongoing reductions in staff.

The PSA has been advised that there will be no ongoing TVSP program from 1 July 2006.

(Peter Christopher, Chief Industrial Officer on 8205 3200 or pgc@cpsu.asn.au)

24 May 2006