News Flash

The Public Sector Act 2009 came into effect in February 2010.  The PSA successfully negotiated with Government, Opposition, Minor Parties and Independents to protect the most important areas of concern which changed from the former PSM Act.

In 2012 there will be change in sick leave accruals. The entitlement to 12 days sick leave per annum has not changed. The only impact could be in situations where a person has exhausted all sick leave credits and is waiting on their next accrual.

To protect members from any disadvantage as a result of the changes in the Public Sector Act, the PSA negotiated with the then Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management, the Hon Jay Weatherill MP.

On the 16^th February, 2009 Minister Weatherill wrote to the PSA stating:

"An overriding policy objective for the review of the PSM Act that lead to the Bill was that public servants would suffer no overall disadvantage to their working arrangements."

and furthermore:

"The Government believes that the Bill does not create any loss of current entitlements."

The Department needs to take reasonable steps to ensure that employees will not be disadvantaged.  The Chief Executive has very broad delegations in relation to leave approvals and these delegations can be used to give effect to the advice from Minister Weatherill.

Once the new system is established, if any members believe they are disadvantaged they should contact the PSA for assistance.

PSA WORKING FOR YOU

9 September 2011