Clause 18.1 of the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2006 required the Commissioner for Public Employment to develop a "Supporting Regions Discussion Paper" about targeted and general options to improve attraction, retention and support of employees in regional areas.

The PSA has received a copy of the discussion paper which briefly summaries the feedback received from agencies and the PSA.

Apart from the issue of public employee housing, the Commissioner for Public Employment will update the Commissioner's Standard 2 to reflect the current delegations environment to incorporate elements of the feedback where appropriate.

The current delegations available to the Chief Executives provide opportunities for flexibility and a diversity of approach when dealing with issues of attraction and retention of staff in regional areas.

The discussion paper does not set out further specific provisions or allowances for regional employees, but reinforces that the delegations are with the Chief Executives to make whatever arrangements might be appropriate for a specific situation.

The PSA will continue to work with members to maximise their access to entitlements and allowances which reflect the environment in which they are required to live and work.

A copy of the discussion paper is available here.

PSA WORKING FOR ITS MEMBERS

24 August 2007