‘Workforce reform’ shrouded in secrecy

Wednesday 02 Apr 2014

As the Workforce Reform Bill makes its way through Parliament, the Legislation Committee in the Legislative Council has published its report on the likely impacts of the Bill.

The greatest concern to members has been the threat of 'compulsory redundancy' and what is meant by 'enhanced redeployment'. These issues were flagged in the Government's Budget information here.

Those key issues are not contained in the Bill but are reserved for the regulations that have not yet been published. Even the bipartisan Committee commented that it would have helped them if they had been able to see drafts of the proposed regulations so they could be sure about the meaning and intent of the legislation.

The Government's representatives, including the Premier and the Public Sector Commission, have sold these changes publicly as measures of 'last resort'.  

Without the regulations we cannot be sure what 'last resort' means. The Public Sector Commissioner, Mal Wauchope, in his evidence to the Committee said that the proposed termination power in the Bill goes further than merely providing for involuntary separation in the public sector as an option of last resort.

Comments from the State Treasury and others reinforce the view that the Barnett Government is saying one thing publicly and planning more drastic options in secret.

The HSUWA and other unions made submissions and gave evidence to the Committee here.