APPENDIX 4 - WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH STAFF AND STAFF ASSOCIATIONS: 14 MARCH 1997

APPENDIX 4 - WORKING GROUP MEETING WITH STAFF AND STAFF ASSOCIATIONS: 14 MARCH 1997

A number of particular issues were raised by the staff associationrepresentatives:

  • the absence of broad consultation before the decision wastaken to amalgamate the five parliamentary departments;
  • the implications for quality and independence of joint servicesto all clients when a joint service is "controlled"by one of the clients;
  • if the reports of the working group and the steering committeewould be made public, for example by being tabled;
  • if the group was giving adequate recognition to:
    • the need to consult Parliament House staff;
    • the need to address significant staff concerns about theirfuture employment;
    • the technical complexity of amalgamating five departmentsinto two in the current environment of major public service andindustrial relations change; and
  • what opportunities there would be for ongoing consultationafter the working group and the steering committee have presentedtheir respective reports.

Members of the working group explained that:

  • their report was being prepared in response to requests fromthe Presiding Officers and the departmental heads for a reporton the implementation of a two-department structure;
  • formal mechanisms were under consideration to ensure thatjoint services to senators and members were maintained or enhanced,notwithstanding that a function and staff were administrativelylocated in one department;
  • publication of the group's report was properly a matter forthose for whom it had been prepared;
  • the complexity of the amalgamation task, the welfare and fateof the Parliament's dedicated staff and the need for on-goingconsultation were uppermost in the minds of the group's members;and
  • in the opinion of the working group, regular consultationwould be essential between the management of the existing fivedepartments, and later of the two new chamber departments, ifthe amalgamation were to be achieved in a smooth and effectivemanner that would not affect the quality and timeliness of servicesfor members and senators. The group welcomed continuing contactwith the staff representatives.
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