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Review
Public Sector
Public Sector Review Magazine • December 2018
SA Not for Sale Know Your Rights: Zahra Foundation New PSA Website
6 Campaign
12 Domestic and Family
14 27
Violence Leave
www.cpsu.asn.au
CONTENTS
From the General Secretary: 3
Unveiling our Government’s Agenda
From the President:
Unite and Fight
4 WELCOME
From the Assistant General 5 The PSA has worked tirelessly over We are also excited to announce that
Secretary: Stand up Against Service the past 12 months to achieve the members will have access in 2019
Cuts and Privatisation in SA best possible employment conditions to a new and improved PSA website
for members through strong enterprise which will provide members greater
INDUSTRIAL NEWS bargaining; offering improved member access to materials and resources.
benefits and services; and providing Members will have secure access to
State Budget 6 members with new opportunities. member-only information and news
EB Roundup 8 and much more.
Financial Counsellors Axed 9 In what has been a busy year of firsts,
we launched the Young Member From the PSA, we wish you all a safe
Super SA New Member Portal 10 Working Group, built the Women’s and festive holiday season and look
AS01 to AS02 Classification Audit 11 Action Network to over 200 members, forward to building a brighter future
Critical Questions 11 delivered a new and improved member together for public sector workers in
Remain Unanswered benefits program – PSA Plus, held the New Year.
Domestic and Family 12 larger events and conferences
Violence Leave including a special election forum,
On Rolling Contracts? 13 achieved many individual and group
Need to Read wins for members, and modernised
Zahra Foundation Australia 14 the Salaried Enterprise Agreement.
Know Your Rights - Christmas 16
and New Year Public Holidays
Child Protection: Worksite 18
Representative State Finalist
PSA Golf Team ROCLA Cup 18 FEDERAL WEBSITE
The website has general interest articles, a links page and
MEMBER NEWS specific sections for women, schools, higher education and
correctional services.
Member Experience: 19 www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au
Bushfire Risk Management
Women’s Conference: 20
Review
Unity in Diversity
Public Sector
Member Profile: Yvette Eglinton 22
Young Member Working Group 22
Women’s Action Network 23
Regional Update 23 The Public Sector Review is an official Designed and Printed on Recycled and
publication of the Public Service Sustainably sourced paper by
Out and About 24
Association of SA Inc and the Community Created 2 Print, 107 Sturt Street,
With PSA Members
and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) SA Adelaide SA. www.created2print.com
APHEDA: Make 2019 26
Branch.
The Tipping Point for Asbestos
The Public Sector Review’s official
Comments, letters and editorial material to: publication number is PP565001/0010.
MEMBER BENEFITS ‘The Editor’, Public Sector Review Volume 2, Number 4.
Level 5, 122 Pirie Street, Responsibility for political content in this
WOMADelaide Ticket Offer 26
Adelaide SA 5000 publication is taken by Nev Kitchin.
New PSA Website Coming 27
Health Partners Foods that 28 Selected articles are published
Help Slow the Ageing Process electronically on the PSA website at
PSA Plus 29 www.cpsu.asn.au
Ice Arena Cool Offer Tel: 08 8205 3200 Fax: 08 8223 6509 Cover Image: PSA SA Not for Sale
PSA Holiday Home 30 Toll-Free: 1800 811 457 Rally, September 2018
Email: enquiries@cpsu.asn.au
Training Calendar 31
2
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018
A message from the General Secretary
UNVEILING OUR
GOVERNMENTS
AGENDA
by Nev Kitchin
Well, by now we are aware The government did admit there had The PSA will stand strong and campaign
of at least part of our new been no independent analysis of the for the kind of public sector a civilised
decision to privatise the Adelaide Remand community requires. A public sector
government’s agenda. Centre. How can the public interest be which promotes community safety,
served without analysis, without scrutiny security and equitable access to high
Outsourcing, privatising, commercialising,
and under a dark veil of secrecy? quality public services.
and discarding essential services and
thousands of jobs.
The now Premier directly told hundreds A strong public sector delivering high
of PSA members in the PSA pre-election quality services requires respectful
The “what can we privatise now factory”
open forum in February that the Liberals industrial arrangements for those who
is hard at work.
“have no privatisation agenda”. provide those services.
Sadly, this is the time many workers
We now know there is a widespread Our main salaried enterprise agreement
come to the realisation that despite all the
privatisation agenda ranging from contains strong protections covering
platitudes given to public sector workers
Financial Counsellors in Child Protection, situations of service and job cuts. With
by both sides of politics about how
SA Pathology, SA Medical Imaging, negotiations for a new agreement due
important and valued they are, the reality
parts of DEW, and the Adelaide Remand to start mid next year we will need to be
is very different.
Centre, with others flagged. strong and active in order to maintain the
protections we, and previous generations
We are treated as just numbers, referred
Unions, community groups and individuals of PSA members, fought so hard to
to as FTEs, and every FTE is a cost.
are entitled to do everything possible to achieve.
hold government to account.
It is true that some of the job cuts
had been proposed by the previous
government. The new government added
to those cuts already announced and
then cut even more. To add insult to
injury they went down the privatisation
path as quickly as possible.
I attended an estimates hearing in
Parliament House hoping to hear a
rationale for the cuts and privatisations.
There was none. The government
banged on about decisions being made in
the public interest.
However the public interest was never
clearly defined. We say the public interest
is best served by a strong, vital and well
resourced public sector.
3
www.cpsu.asn.au
A message from the President
UNITE AND
FIGHT
by Michael Griffiths
Last year, I wrote to all PSA members encouraging you to get
involved with enterprise bargaining to ensure that we achieved a
strong agreement with the best possible employment conditions
and protections for public sector workers.
We achieved this together through robust these cuts will inevitably have on South information on how to join. Talk to your
member support and consistent and Australians in both the short and long- family, friends and neighbours about the
continuous member activities. term. importance of essential public services
and why these services should remain in
Now we face a new challenge of a new We need every PSA member to stand public hands.
government that has demonstrated a together against these service cuts and
disrespect for public sector workers and privatisations as this attack will be the Together we will stand up against these
which devalues the essential work public thin edge of the wedge. It is a sound disgraceful service cuts. We will continue
servants do for the community. indicator of what is certain to come. to proudly serve South Australia.
The decisions to cut and/or privatise Encourage your colleagues who are
essential services have been made not yet union members to get involved
with little or no thought for the impact with your union or contact the PSA for
OUR OUR
VISION MISSION
A South Australian Public To grow, engage and
Sector in which PSA empower our membership
members are highly valued by working collectively to
and well-resourced, with effectively represent, protect
fair and secure working and actively advance PSA
conditions and entitlements. members’ interests.
4
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018
A message from the
Assistant General Secretary
STAND UP AGAINST
SERVICE CUTS AND
PRIVATISATION IN SA
by Natasha Brown
There can now be no doubt about the agenda of the Marshall Government and the gravity
of the challenge before us. But as PSA members have proven time and time again, there is
no challenge too great to overcome when we unite together for a common cause.
The campaign activities we have Fast forward only a few months and the are the severe cuts to the Legal Services
undertaken to date as part of our SA Not Government has already put out a tender Commission.
for Sale campaign have laid the necessary to privatise the Adelaide Remand Centre
groundwork for us to build our fight against - a high security prison in the middle of The Government has also abolished the
the public sector cuts and privatisation. our CBD - which would make our remand Financial Wellbeing Program that offers
centre the only privatised remand centre in early intervention and support for our
Throughout 2018 we launched a Australia. State’s most at-risk children and families.
digital campaign with a new website Cutting this program is a direct
sanotforsale.com.au and a very successful The Government has also already issued contradiction of recommendations from
social media push highlighting the threats of privatisation to our members in the Nyland Royal Commission.
essential work PSA members do for our SA Pathology and SA Medical Imaging,
community. and has established a “Commercial and PSA members must remain united and
Economics Unit” to look for other potential strong.
We have circulated petitions, postcards, targets for privatisation.
badges, posters and flyers to educate We will continue to campaign towards
South Australians on the value of the These privatisation threats come on top of a well-resourced public sector which
public sector. We have held rallies, thousands of public sector job cuts included provides equitable, affordable and
meetings, forums, featured numerous as part of September’s State Budget. The accessible services to all South
articles in print media, TV and radio to fight Budget foreshadowed the closure of seven Australians and where our members are
the threats of privatisation and advocate TAFE campuses, which will have a severe respected and valued.
for better resourcing of our public sector. impact on training and education available
to South Australians and will reduce the Speak to your local PSA Worksite
In a historic first, we also held a special future capacity of our State. Representative or your PSA Organiser
pre-election forum in February attended about the next steps for you and your
by former Labor leader and Premier Jay The closure of three Service SA centres colleagues to get involved, to stand up
Weatherill, Liberal leader Steven Marshall, will reduce access to services for many against service cuts and privatisation
SA Best candidate Nick Xenophon and and is a direct attack on the most in SA, and join the fight for a better
SA Greens candidate Tammy Franks. vulnerable in our community who are the future for all PSA members and the
PSA members had the opportunity to highest users of face-to-face services, as communities we serve.
directly question these politicians and
sought their parties’ commitments on
stopping privatisation and ensuring that the
public sector has the resources required
to continue to serve the community at the
highest possible standard.
During that forum in front of hundreds of
people, the now Premier Steven Marshall
stated on behalf of his party that “we don’t
have a privatisation agenda”.
5
www.cpsu.asn.au
STATE BUDGET CUTS
AND PRIVATISATIONS
The September State Budget included cuts to services and
privatisations that are not in the public interest and which will
undeniably disadvantage the South Australian community. This
Budget has been a direct attack on essential public services
and the hard-working public servants who deliver them. It will
disproportionately harm our community’s most vulnerable.
The Treasurer stated when delivering the However it appears to do the exact direct attack on our essential community
Budget that it “unashamedly is directed opposite. This Budget reduces jobs, will services:
towards this reform agenda to create jobs, create more struggles for families and
lower costs for struggling families and reduces services for all. • Privatisation of the Adelaide Remand
provide better services for all”. Centre.
The government had a clear choice in what • Closure of seven TAFE campuses
they chose to fund and what not to fund. including Port Adelaide and Urrbrae.
By choosing not to invest in our public • Closure of three Service SA centres –
sector, they have clearly demonstrated Modbury, Prospect and Mitcham.
that the wellbeing and sustainability of
• Threats to privatise SA Pathology and
our community – through a strong well
SA Medical Imaging.
resourced public sector - is not a priority
for them. This Budget is a measure of • Privatising the Child Protection Financial
the respect this government holds for the Wellbeing Counsellors program cutting
public sector. 59 positions.
• Job cuts of approximately 1,700 FTE
The most fundamental role of a though the allocation of $150m for
government is to ensure the community TVSPs from general revenue.
has equitable access to the services they
• A further 2,300 FTE equivalent job cuts
need. Public services should be accessible,
through agency savings.
affordable, and importantly equitable, for all
South Australians. • Substantial cuts to Education with 200
FTE cut from head office.
The following cuts and privatisations • Significant cuts to Environment with
announced in the Budget represent a 110 FTE.
6
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018
• Huge cuts to Treasury and Finance with deliver for and that’s their shareholders. The PSA will continue to stand up
600 plus FTE cut. Not us, not you and me, usually people against these essential service cuts and
• Significant budget and staffing cuts to overseas, usually people at the top, privatisations.
the Arts. shareholders. Because of that, because
of that logic, the only way they can make Visit sanotforsale.com.au to show your
• Significant budget and staffing cuts to money is by putting up prices, by cutting support. Keep an eye on campaign
Legal Services Commission including jobs, by cutting services. And who updates at the PSA Facebook page
the closure of the Mount Barker Legal suffers? We suffer, ordinary people suffer, www.facebook.com/
Services Commission Office. working people suffer, citizens suffer”. PublicServiceAssociationSA/.
The PSA immediately responded to this Lowest income earners and the most
attack on essential public services with a vulnerable in our community are the most
successful mass rally held on the steps of reliant on face-to-face essential public
Parliament House. ACTU Secretary Sally services. By cutting these essential
McManus re-affirmed for those present at services - like Financial Counsellors in
the rally what privatisation really means for Child Protection, and closing service
the community. centres in Service SA, TAFE SA, and
Legal Services Commission - the
“...(privatisation) has cost the public more Government has not just reduced access,
money as governments have had to but has diminished equitable access, to
buy back failed privatisations. It has not essential public services for all South
delivered, because there is only one group Australians.
of people that private companies have to
7
www.cpsu.asn.au
EB ROUNDUP
The current South Australian Modern Public Sector
Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2017 (SAMPSEAS) House employees; University of SA and
is serving members well. Flinders University; Adelaide Festival
Centre; and Assistants to MPs. Where
Our enterprise agreement consultation respective consultation clauses are possible and relevant the PSA is seeking
clauses are proving essential in an implemented. to have included in those agreements our
environment characterised by cuts and achievements in SAMPSEAS.
restructures. Members will have seen the SAMPSEAS
salary increases flow through from the first Enterprise agreements are fundamental
Consultation simply means that PSA full pay period in October. The next pay rise to recognising respect in the employment
members are able to contribute to, and is due in October next year. Salary increases relationship.
potentially influence, decisions that affect after that will be subject to the outcomes
their working lives. The basic principle
is that decisions are better if they are
of negotiations for a new agreement. Many
members have also benefited from the CHANGE OF
informed decisions. And what better way
is there of being informed than including
ASO1 reclassification audit.
ADDRESS
those directly involved in the work, and
affected by the decisions?
Our new SAMPSEAS clause for members’
rights to be represented is proving
OR PERSONAL
beneficial in ensuring, for example, DETAILS
Consultation is not a barrier to that Worksite Representatives’ role in
introducing change, as some would representing members in the workplace, If you have changed residential
have it. Consultation, when done well, and attending hearings in the South address, updated your email
facilitates change and can ensure the Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) is address or even your employment
successful introduction of change. respected; and that elected honorary office details, let us know at
holders’ legitimate roles are respected and enquiries@cpsu.asn.au
The new clauses specific to protection facilitated. or update them yourself online at
from unreasonable workloads are
www.cpsu.asn.au/contact-us
proving vital in the new environment of Nine reviews have been, or are
The PSA provides information to
service and job cuts. Some agencies being, undertaken under the terms of
members on industrial matters and
are simply implementing job cuts without SAMPSEAS Clause 39.
consideration of resulting workload other member benefits via email so
issues. However, SAMPSEAS Clause Our nation leading SAMPSEAS clauses to ensure that you receive the very
15.2 requires that any proposed change on Mental Health First Aid training and latest information, please let us
must, as part of consultation, include an Domestic and Family Violence have know when your details change.
assessment of the potential impact on attracted attention, appreciation and
workloads and the measures proposed to respect in many quarters – including from
manage those impacts. leading employer associations.
The PSA has been active in working with The PSA is currently negotiating a number
members and Worksite Representatives of other enterprise agreements, including
to ensure members’ rights under the Education (covering SSOs); Parliament
8
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018
FINANCIAL
COUNSELLORS AXED
IN STATE BUDGET
DESPITE COMMISSIONER NYLAND
RECOMMENDATIONS
The September State education, training and employment; The service provided by Financial
Budget decision to cut and access to legal advice and health Counsellors is an important early
care.” intervention program that not only
59 Financial Counsellors supports young people exiting state care,
who support at-risk young 159 “Expand financial counselling but provides them with sound financial
people comes despite the services to manage access to post- knowledge to positively participate in the
Nyland Royal Commission care financial support from the community, assists them to find work
Agency provided in accordance with and housing, and also helps to access
recommendations 158 and
Recommendation 158.” Government benefits.
159 to expand the services
to manage post-care Financial Counsellors offer specialised It seems completely ill-considered to
financial support. and unique support to assist families to outsource or to privatise this service
manage their financial situations where to NGOs, especially when the Child
The Child Protection Systems children are at risk of abuse or neglect. Protection Department is approximately
Royal Commission recommendations 158 250 staff short and the child protection
and 159 proposes; This can include support for budgeting, budget has grown.
158 “Amend the Children’s Protection seeking rent relief, housing, food relief,
Act 1993 to require the Minister to dealing with debt, working with Centrelink Financial Counsellors provide a holistic
provide or arrange assistance to care etc. approach where there is integration
leavers aged between 18 and 25 years. between them and social workers that
Assistance should specifically include They are also vital in reuniting children allows an immediacy relevant to peoples
the provision of information about and parents by ensuring a stable and needs.
services and resources; financial and secure financial base and safe housing in
other support to obtain housing, preparation for the child/ren’s return. The purpose of the Department for Child
Protection must be to prevent abuse
and neglect and minimise the number of
children in care by strengthening families.
This cut is likely to result in an increase
of children at risk, higher removal rates,
fewer children returning to their families
and more youth homelessness.
The PSA opposes these cuts and
demands the Government reverse this
decision. The PSA will continue to meet
with affected members and campaign
against this privatisation.
9
www.cpsu.asn.au
HAVE YOU BEEN ON THE NEW
SUPER SA MEMBER PORTAL?
Earlier this year, Super SA introduced a new
member portal on their website. It allows
most Super SA members1 to access their
super information quickly and simply.
It’s easier to navigate the portal than payrise to your super? It might seem
ever before. To view your Super SA small, but small, consistent contributions Disclaimer: The superannuation
account in the new member portal for over time may make a big difference to schemes administered by Super SA are
exempt public sector superannuation
the first time, grab the new Client ID your final balance. See the difference that
schemes and are not regulated by the
number from your 2017-2018 annual contributing your recent payrise might make Australian Securities and Investments
statement or from the letter that was to your retirement by using the Super SA Commission (ASIC) or the Australian
sent to you in April, click the Secure Projection Calculator. Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA).
login button at www.supersa.sa.gov.au, Super SA is not required to hold an
follow the steps to register and you’re up If you think that putting some of your Australian Financial Services Licence to
and running. If you get stuck, there‘s an payrise into your Super SA account each provide general advice about a Super SA
online tutorial on the website to help you fortnight could help you reach the lifestyle product. The information in this article is
of a general nature only and has been
navigate the process. you want in retirement, check the Personal
prepared without taking into account your
Super Contributions calculator at objectives, financial situation or needs.
Once you’re logged in, you can see your www.supersa.sa.gov.au to find the best way Super SA recommends that before
super balance and investment options at a to make your contributions to super. making any decisions about its products
glance, as well as how much your super has you consider the appropriateness of this
grown in the last 1, 6 or 12 months or over Then you can simply log into the new portal information in the context of your own
the financial year. and watch the difference it makes. objectives, financial situation and needs,
read the Product Disclosure Statement
Members of Triple S, Select, Income Stream (PDS) and seek financial advice from a
Change your investment options with just a 1
and Flexible Rollover Product have access to the licensed financial adviser in relation to
few quick clicks, provide your tax file number your financial position and requirements.
new member portal. Members of the defined
to Super SA and update your personal
benefit schemes, such as Lump Sum and
details online. No paperwork required! Pension do not have access to the new member
portal. Access for these members is planned
Keeping with the paperless theme, you can as part of the next phase of Super SA’s system
easily opt into electronic communications implementation.
and choose to receive your annual
statement electronically. You’ll also find your SEMINARS
electronic filing cabinet that holds important
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
21 Book into the
latest seminar.
COMMUNICATIONS
correspondence from Super SA. Switch your investment option(s) Opt in to receive
online. communications electronically.
Once you’ve looked around the member
portal and seen what your super looks like
now, you can check out the Projection
Super
Calculator on the Super SA website to FILING CABINET FORMS &
View all your correspondence FACT SHEETS
see what it might look like when you reach from us in one place. Find more information.
retirement.
If you think it’s not going to be enough for online
the lifestyle you’re hoping for when you
retire, consider whether you can give it an CALCULATORS PERSONAL DETAILS
Compare ways to Update your
extra boost now. grow your super. contact details.
Have you thought about contributing the YOUR SUPER BALANCE
Check your balance
amount you received in your October anywhere any time.
10
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018ASO1 TO ASO2
CLASSIFICATION AUDIT
During the recent Enterprise Bargaining negotiations the PSA successfully
negotiated the ASO1 Audit as a mechanism to address the large number of
ASO1 staff across the Public Sector who are underclassified.
To date, 261 ASO1s have now been undertaken correctly and the required
reclassified to ASO2 as a result of the timeline was met. South Australian Modern Public
classification audit. Sector Enterprise Agreement:
This is a massive win for members. Salaried 2017
South Australia Police (SAPOL) had Congratulations to all PSA members
the largest number of ASO1 staff in the who will now be appropriately 40. ASO1 CLASSIFICATION AUDIT
public sector. With the audit of ASO1 remunerated for the level of work they 40.1 The employer commits to audit
positions in SAPOL now completed. The are doing. all ASO1 employees who have
PSA is proud to report that 97.7% of completed 12 months service at
ASO1s in SAPOL have been assessed For more information on the ASO1 to the ASO1 level as at the date
to be working at a higher level and will ASO2 Classification Audit, contact the of approval of this Enterprise
be reclassified. PSA Members’ Rights Hotline Agreement in order to determine
on 8205 3227 or contact the PSA by whether it is more appropriate
The PSA has worked closely with email to enquiries@cpsu.asn.au. that they should be classified at
SAPOL to ensure the process was the ASO2 level.
CRITICAL QUESTIONS
REMAIN UNANSWERED
The Government’s announcement to privatise the Adelaide Remand Centre (ARC) has
left critical questions unanswered as why this service has been selected and how this
sell-off could possibly be in the best interest for the community.
To date neither Premier Steven Marshall, provision costs used to establish a basis All members should be on notice
Treasurer Rob Lucas, Minister Corey for the privatisation. – privatisations, announced and
Wingard nor Chief Executive (CE) threatened, are now on the agenda
David Brown have provided any relevant Privatised prisons often run on minimal regardless of what is in the public
information supporting the decision to staff in an attempt to keep running interest.
privatise the ARC. costs down which results in increased
safety risks to both prisoners and those At the time of printing, the PSA had
Key questions remain unanswered such correctional staff working in the prison lodged an application in the South
as why the Adelaide Remand Centre environment which should be a huge Australian Employment Court, attended
was chosen over other institutions; what concern for the community. a compulsory conference, and attended
work was undertaken to establish the a directions hearing.
costs at each prison site used in that Correctional Officers take their
determination; how a private provider will workplace safety seriously and any
offer the same levels of service that is decrease to the number of Correctional The PSA will continue to keep
currently provided at the ARC - including Officers at a prison, which is common members informed and will fight
all health, social work, and close watch in private prisons, puts workers and the to keep SA prisons public.
services; and what was factored into the community at higher risk.
11
www.cpsu.asn.auDOMESTIC AND FAMILY
VIOLENCE LEAVE
The ACTU’s We Won’t Wait In many cases, to escape a violent of negotiations, which were eventually
campaign is calling on all relationship you have to take time off work. accepted by the Government, which put
political parties to support Many of the services that support women beyond doubt that the 15 Days Special
10 days paid domestic and and their children are only available during Leave for Domestic and Family violence is
business hours. Without paid leave, people a stand-alone form of leave (clause 14.2)
family violence leave to be
experiencing violence simply do not have and can be accessed prior to any other
included in the Federal National time or resources to find a new, safe, place. forms of leave at the discretion of the
Employment Standards. affected employee (clause 14.3).
Domestic and family violence leave in Having economic independence and job
the South Australian Public Service has security is critical to ensuring that any These clauses were drafted by the PSA
been available for some time in various worker experiencing violence can take the due to a deficiency in the Commissioner’s
forms. Advocated for by the PSA, with steps they need to leave. Determination (CD) 3.1 where the
the Commissioner for Public Sector entitlement is contained as access
Employment pro-actively supporting and Employees need to know that their to the leave was not written explicitly
implementing measures to assist people workplace is committed to supporting them enough. Departments were using their
experiencing domestic and family violence, through paid leave to speak out, seek help own interpretations of CD 3.1 as to
the provisions available to South Australian and take action if they are experiencing when employees could access the leave,
Public Sector employees are well ahead of domestic violence. generally incorrectly trying to require them
the national standards. to use their own annual leave and sick
Paid family and domestic violence leave will leave first.
Workers in the Public Sector currently help save lives.
have access to 15 days special leave Our amendments have made it clear of the
with pay when experiencing domestic Like all industrial rights and entitlements, order of precedence in accessing this form
and family violence in addition to all other particularly when they are newly introduced, of leave and we now have a solid position
forms of leave. adjustments and improvements need should any disputation occur and an appeal
to be made over time based on the real be required.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. world application of the enabling industrial
800,000 women and 1 in 20 men will instruments and clauses. For clarity, members employed under the
experience family or domestic violence South Australian Modern Public Sector
this year. The PSA proposed amendments for Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2017
the salaried agreement in the last round can access 15 days special leave with
12
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018ON ROLLING
CONTRACTS?
pay when experiencing domestic and
family violence without having to expend
any other form of leave first. The clauses
NEED TO READ
in the enterprise agreement provide
the operational distinction between the
The PSA has had some great successes recently in
granting of this leave and all other forms of obtaining ongoing status for members who have been
Voluntary Flexible Working Arrangements. on rolling temporary contracts for years. This has
included one PSA member who had been employed
Further to successfully gaining clarity on the
since 2013 whose contract was not initially renewed.
leave entitlement, the PSA was successful
in negotiating clauses which protect This member has now been converted to ongoing.
workers experiencing domestic and family
violence with respect to their performance There are a few agencies who seem If you contact the Members’ Rights
and conduct. These clauses recognise and to be misusing Section 45 of the Hotline seeking contract advice, the
include consideration that experiencing Public Sector Act 2009 where they PSA will ask you for a copy of all of your
domestic and family violence may have an ‘surf’ the parts (b), (c) and (d), without contracts. This is important to ascertain
adverse effect on an employee’s workplace specifically advising of the change the pattern of employment.
performance or conduct. when the contracts are renewed.
It is important to keep copies of all
We believe that these clauses (Clauses An employer may not unilaterally or your ‘signed’ contracts in a safe place,
14.5, 14.6 and 14.7) are the first of without advice or consultation change so they can be easily sent through to
their kind in an enterprise agreement in an employee’s terms and conditions. the PSA if you believe you may have a
Australia. When contracts are continually claim.
extended it is very important to make
These clauses deal with a common sure that your existing conditions within You can contact the PSA
issue where employee performance or the new contract are not changed Members’ Rights Hotline on
conduct is adversely impacted as a result without your knowledge. If they have 8205 3227 or email for more
of an employee experiencing Domestic been changed, you need to seek information at
and Family Violence, and obligates the advice prior to signing. enquiries@cpsu.asn.au.
employer to take this into account in
assessing any workplace performance or
conduct.
Often the case is that the domestic
and family violence an employee is PSA MEMBERS’
RIGHTS HOTLINE
experiencing only becomes evident after Phone: (08) 8205 3227
an issue regarding workplace performance
Email: enquiries@cpsu.asn.au
or conduct is raised. The clause also
assists affected members as it allows www.cpsu.asn.au
disclosure of experiencing DV to a single
source, rather than having to retell their For information and
story over and over to many sources. advice on your working
This will significantly reduce the need for and employment conditions,
members to explain their situation more contact the PSA Members’
than is absolutely necessary. Rights Hotline between
8:45am – 5:00pm
Our expectation is that members will Monday to Friday.
benefit greatly from these clauses, and
that it will empower them to access
assistance sooner.
13
www.cpsu.asn.auZAHRA
FOUNDATION
AUSTRALIA
Zahra Foundation is a South Australian based charity established in 2015 to honor Zahra
Abrahimzadeh who was tragically murdered by her husband in 2010. In 2014 the three
children of Zahra worked closely with the domestic violence sector to consider ways in
which they could support women in a similar situation to their mother.
Education, employment, and hope for of someone’s present or future earning Lack of money, access to resources and
a better future was important to Zahra potential by preventing them social isolation from family and friends are
and so HOPE was identified as the core from obtaining a job or education. all tactics of abusers that contribute to a
value for the foundation. With domestic woman’s inability to leave. It is important
violence crisis support services focused In the context of men’s violence against for us to address this since women
primarily on safety and housing, it made women, financial abuse includes: are already financially disadvantaged,
sense for the foundation to compliment regardless of having a lived experience of
these services by providing support and • control of the finances domestic violence:
promoting hope and opportunities for • restricting/limiting access to bank
women through a post-crisis response. accounts • The gender pay gap means that on
• providing an inadequate allowance average women earn $244 p.w less
The foundation supports women • monitoring what a woman spends than men
affected by domestic and family violence money on • Women contribute a disproportionate
with a specific focus on economic • not allowing the woman to work share of unpaid caring and domestic
empowerment. We specifically aim to • sabotaging a woman’s employment work
address the economic/financial abuse • taking a woman’s pay • Women live longer than men, but
and disadvantage most often experienced • fraudulently obtaining or using a credit retire with less money and assets
as a result of domestic violence. Financial card • A lack of workplace flexibility to
abuse has only recently been recognised • refusing to work or contribute accommodate caring and other
as a form of domestic violence alongside financially responsibilities
the more recognised forms such as • Women’s greater time out of the
physical, emotional, sexual, psychological There are many barriers to women workforce impacts career progression
and spiritual. leaving violent and abusive relationships, and opportunities
including fear for her safety and losing
A key distinction between economic her children, threats, shame, cultural or Zahra Foundation works to address
abuse and financial abuse is that religious beliefs, but for many women, the financial and economic impact
economic abuse also includes the control financial capacity is one of the biggest. of domestic violence in a number of
ways. Firstly, through the delivery of a
tailored, trauma informed “Pathways to
Empowerment” program. The program
is a nine-week program that supports
women to address any barriers they may
be facing and helps them to reconnect
with themselves and to the possibility
of further education, employment or
volunteering opportunities. Over 80%
of clients who complete the program
move on to their chosen pathway and
all women report an increased level
of confidence, safety, resilience and
connectedness.
14
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018Our financial counselling program Throughout the year we also deliver CASE STUDY
specialises with addressing domestic a series of one off workshops that Sarah was referred to us a by a domestic
violence related debt. support women with resume writing, violence shelter in Adelaide. Sarah first
career planning and educate women on attended a financial literacy forum
Many women leaving abusive relationships financial abuse. We attend a range co-ordinated by Zahra Foundation and
will report financial abuse, however, of community education events to raise facilitated by PKF Adelaide Accounting,
may not have identified this as a form of awareness of the issue, to promote Centrelink, Zahra Foundation’s financial
domestic violence during the relationship. our services and participate in a range counsellor and a lawyer from Women’s
Women will often be the ones left without of forums to share our learnings and Legal Service. The workshop was run in a
access to money and a significant identify current themes. small group setting as a way for women to
amount of debt often accumulate by the access relevant financial information in a
perpetrator. Add to that the complexities We have a small team of highly safe and informal way.
and cost of relocating for safety, setting up dedicated and skilled staff who work
a new home, family court costs and child hard to support our clients achieve From this workshop, Sarah connected
care. amazing outcomes. We have had many with our financial counsellor for individual
women who have gone on to further support with budgeting and help to address
Our financial counsellor can help women study at TAFE and have seen three a number of financial hardship issues
to access additional funding sources women progress to University after preventing her from exiting homelessness.
such as Wyatt Trust grants and NILS completing our Pathways program. This relationship then led to a referral to
loans to assist them with the cost of our Pathways to Empowerment program.
re-establishment and ensure that women We cannot achieve the important work The program increased Sarah’s confidence
understand their rights and concessional we do without the help of the wider and she was inspired to enroll at TAFE and
entitlements. For women with low financial community. completed a Certificate in Women’s Studies
literacy skills, our financial counsellor followed by a Certificate 4 in Community
can mentor women, role modelling how Throughout the year we host a number Services. To support her study Zahra
to navigate systems and advocate for of events including our Women on the Foundation purchased a laptop for Sarah
themselves. We refer women to online Run fun run scheduled for March 2019. through our Opportunity Knox program.
tools and other resources to support Details can be found on our website’s Sarah’s long term plan was to enroll in a
them with budgeting and where to access calendar of events. We also rely on Foundation Skills program at University
relevant financial information. donations and community fundraising however given her past achievements she
events, so if you would like to help was admitted directly in to study a Degree
Zahra Foundation also supports women please get in contact and we can provide in Criminology commencing in 2019.
in crisis who are connected to a specialist you with the information and support you
domestic violence service. Our Opportunity need to host your own event. Sarah is now living safely with her son
Knox program allows grants of up to $500 zahrafoundation.org.au in independent housing and credits her
to help families with the cost of sustaining connection to Zahra Foundation as being
or obtaining education or employment. Stats from: Our Watch and Workplace her catalyst for change and providing hope
With the help of a support worker, clients Gender Equality Agency for a positive future.
can access assistance for items such as
school uniforms, laptops or tuition fees. Article as supplied by Zahra Foundation. We could not be more proud of Sarah.
15
www.cpsu.asn.auKNOW YOUR RIGHTS
Christmas and New Year Public Holidays 2018
Choice of being paid double time
and a half or payment at time and
a half and an additional day off in
lieu
Clause 6.2: provides employees the
choice of either being paid at the rate
of double time and a half (250%) or
payment at the rate of time and a half
(150%) and allowed an additional day
off in lieu equivalent to the time worked
on the respective public holiday. (This
provision has some qualifying criteria
which is detailed in Clause 6.2)
Employees rostered over six days
The South Australian Modern Public
The following For employees who participate in a Sector Enterprise Agreement Salaried:
programmed day off as part of their
information is provided 2017 at Clause 29.4, 29.5 and 29.6
roster provides for full time employees rostered
to inform PSA members Clause 6.3: Where a public holiday over six days per week including
on the appropriate falls on a day which is the employee’s Saturdays and Sundays. Where a full-
penalty rates that apply programmed day off the employee will time employee is required to work on
for shifts and overtime be given an alternative day off either active duty over six days of the week
immediately preceding or following the
worked (including public holiday or as soon as practicable
including Saturdays and Sundays and
a public holiday (other than a ‘part-day
recall to work) for the thereafter. public holiday’) falls between Monday to
Christmas and New Year Friday on a day which is their rostered
public holidays 2018. For employees who are rostered day off that employee will be paid an
to work over seven days including additional day’s pay.
Saturdays and Sundays and a public
The legislation relating to Public Holidays
holiday falls on their rostered day off Correctional Officers
is contained in the South Australia Public
Clause 6.4: Where the public holiday The SA Public Sector Salaried
Holidays Act 1910.
falls between a Monday to Friday (i.e. Employees Interim Award at Part 9
Christmas Day, Proclamation Day and details special conditions for employees
The SA Public Sector Salaried Employees
New Year’s Day) and this day is the employed as Correctional Officers.
Interim Award Clauses 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4
employee’s rostered day off the employee
detail provisions for public holiday work.
is to be paid an additional day’s pay.
16
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018Day Public Holiday Rate
Christmas Eve - is a Monday 24 December 2018 250% (150% Penalty)
part public holiday from 7:00pm to 12 midnight for the period from
7:00pm to 12 midnight 7:00pm to 12 midnight
Christmas Day Tuesday 25 December 2018 250% (150% Penalty)
Proclamation Day Wednesday 26 December 2018 250% (150% Penalty)
New Year’s Eve – is a Monday 31 December 2018 250% (150% Penalty)
part public holiday from 7:00pm to 12 midnight for the period from 7pm
7:00pm to 12 midnight to 12 midnight
New Year’s Day Tuesday 1 January 2019 250% (150% Penalty)
On behalf of the PSA
Executive, Council and staff,
we would like to thank you
for your support during 2018
and for belonging to your
union.
Clause 9.4.5: If the major part of a shift Protective Security Officers
Please note that the PSA Office
falls partly on a Saturday, Sunday or public The SA Public Sector Salaried Employees
and Member Benefit Centre at 122
holiday then the shift will be regarded Interim Award at Part 13 details specific
Pirie Street Adelaide will be closed
as, and paid at, the respective Saturday, provisions for Protective Security Officers.
from 12:30pm Friday 21 December
Sunday or public holiday rate.
2018, reopening at 8:45am on
Clause 13.13: Other than casual
Wednesday 2 January 2019.
Clause 9.4.6: Where a public holiday falls employees, an employee who is not
on an employee’s programmed day off the required to work on a public holiday will be
If you would like to take advantage
employee will be given an alternative day paid for the time the employee would have
of placing member discount orders
off on a working day either immediately normally worked on such day.
before Christmas, please ensure
preceding or immediately following the
that your order has been placed by
public holiday or as soon as practicable Traffic Inspectors
10:00am on Monday 17 December
thereafter. The SA Public Sector Salaried Employees
2018 to be mailed that same day.
Interim Award at Part 11 details specific
Orders for collection must be picked
Clause 9.9.1: An officer required to work provisions for Traffic Inspectors.
up prior to the office closure on 21
on any public holiday is to be paid at the
December 2018.
rate of double time and a half (250%). Clause 11.3.5.2 (iv): On a public holiday
which falls on Monday to Saturday
If you should require immediate
The South Australian Modern Public inclusive – at a rate of double and a
emergency support during this office
Sector Enterprise Agreement Salaried: half for all time worked, with a minimum
close down period, keep an eye
2017 at Appendix 7 Clause 3 provides payment as for three hours work.
on your emails (December) for the
detail for Correctional Officers who may be
emergency support number.
advised they are not required to work on a Please note: Information correct at the
public holiday. time of printing November 2018.
We look forward to working with you
in the New Year to improve working
Fisheries Officers
conditions for the public sector, and
The SA Public Sector Salaried Employees
wish all members and their families
Interim Award at Part 10 details specific
a Merry Christmas and a safe and
provisions for Fisheries Officers.
festive holiday season.
Clause 10.2.1: For Fisheries Officers
where a public holiday falls between Contact the PSA Member
Monday to Friday in a four week period, the Benefits Team to place an order
actual hours of duty required to be worked on 8205 3200 or by email to
in that period is to be reduced by 7.5 hours memberbenefits@cpsu.asn.au.
for each public holiday which so falls.
17
www.cpsu.asn.auCHILD
PROTECTION
WORKSITE
REPRESENTATIVE
STATE FINALIST
Congratulations to Lisa Membership at the Elizabeth office grew At the time, the office was 20 staff
from a very low base to 100% of the members below complement. After
who was nominated by
Social Worker staff. the PSA attended the South Australian
her colleagues in the Employment Tribunal, the Department
National Child Protection With support from members meetings with offered extra permanent positions as well
Worksite Representative the PSA, staff were able to express their as placing several extra front-line and
deeply felt concerns at the lack of action senior staff at Elizabeth to relieve the
Awards for leading
by the Department for Child Protection to backlog of cases unallocated.
members to address fill vacant positions. Staff took action, and
serious workload issues together they successfully campaigned to Well done to Lisa for being awarded the
in the Elizabeth office. fill the vacancies and won an additional SA State Finalist and members at the
eight FTEs. Child Protection Elizabeth office for this
fantastic outcome.
As featured in the August Review, interested
PSA members were invited to join the PSA
Golf Team which resulted in two new very
welcome additions.
The offer is still available for any interested
PSA GOLF TEAM
PSA members to join in 2019.
Please email Team Captain John Grinter at
ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
grinters@bigpond.com for more information
about next year’s event in Victoria.
FOR THE ROCLA CUP A special thanks goes to Peter Mead who
assisted with the planning, arrangements and
administration of the event, without whom the
Congratulations to the South Australian team who won the annual Rocla Cup golf tournament would not have been a success.
tournament in October for the first time since 2011. The inaugural Rocla Cup was
first held in 1966 and is played alternatively in SA and Victoria. This year’s win Looking forward to 2019.
brings the overall results to SA - 23 wins, Vic - 25 wins and five draws. John Grinter, Captain, PSA Golf Team
18
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018MEMBER EXPERIENCE:
AMY RIEBE
BUSHFIRE RISK MANAGEMENT
FACILITATOR
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY
Photo by Air Operations, British Columbia Wildfire Service. FIRE SERVICE
The South Australian Country Fire Service Communicating the complexity of the The Canadian people’s reputation for
has a long and proud tradition of helping fire situation was at times a difficult task. friendliness and politeness was evident
sister agencies interstate and overseas One aspect of this was ensuring that throughout my deployment. As all visiting
with staff and resources whenever community members understood that emergency service personnel were camping,
possible. The continuing impact of climate although there was a large central fire, our Canadian hosts kindly warned us that the
change on fire behaviour means that the there were also numerous additional local bears were sometimes attracted to the
co-operative relationship between fire and small fires which made it very hard for smell of toothpaste - a warning heeded by all.
emergency service agencies during fire firefighting personnel to control the There was not a great deal of time to properly
seasons becomes more important every situation. appreciate the amazing natural beauty of the
year. British Columbian wilderness, but glimpses of
Dease Lake, and the adjoining towns of it through the car window during the road trip
Due to an extraordinary number of fires Iskut and Telegraph Creek, is the land of back to Vancouver will stay with me.
across British Columbia, Canada sought the Tahltan First Nation. This First Nation
assistance from fire agencies in Australia comprises of the Tahltan and Iskut bands, The professionalism of the Canadian, New
and New Zealand. I was one of a number led by Chief Rick Mclean and Chief Marie Zealand and Australian interstate agency
of Australian emergency service personnel Quock respectively. Both were heavily staff was on show during long days and
who had the privilege of being seconded - involved with the communication of key nights of hard work, and it was a privilege to
in my case as a public information officer information at community meetings, and play my small part alongside them and the
- during the month of August. I enjoyed learning firsthand how well many community members who volunteered
all members of the community worked their time to protect lives and save as much
Upon arriving at Vancouver Airport and together with state and federal agencies property as possible from the Stikine-Dease
receiving an initial briefing, we then spent to protect people’s safety and support Lake Fire. Happily, the fire was eventually put
two and a half days driving cross-country. those people impacted by property out by snow, which arrived with the change of
The dynamic and difficult to predict damage as quickly as possible. season.
progress of these fires meant that at first,
Photo by Torbjorn Rive, Canadian Incident Management.
it was not clear where we would most be
required and thus deployed. Eventually it
was decided that we would be deployed
to the Stikine fire based at Dease Lake
to manage just one of the large fires
burning across the undulating and difficult
to access wilderness areas of British
Columbia.
My role was to ensure a steady flow of
up-to-date information about fire behaviour
and safety information flowed from
operational staff to the community. This
information was delivered via numerous
community meetings, press releases and
radio and newspaper interviews with local
media outlets.
19
www.cpsu.asn.auWOMEN’S CONFERENCE –
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
“ Diversity also encompasses more than just gender. Although we are all women in this room, we
are diverse in culture, race, sexual orientation, age, religion, language… the list goes on. Our different
backgrounds and life experiences give us different perspectives and help us to make better collective
”
decisions and actions,”- PSA Assistant General Secretary Natasha Brown.
The PSA Women’s Conference is always genuine improvements in workplace We look forward to making 2019 better
an important event on the PSA calendar diversity and focussed on common again so keep an eye on your emails and
as it gives like-minded PSA women the approaches and strategies to promote if you haven’t already done so, like and
opportunity to come together to reflect diversity and inclusion. follow the PSA Facebook page at:
upon progress, to identify areas we still www.facebook.com/
need to change to reach genuine gender Always a conference highlight, the PSA PublicServiceAssociationSA.
equality, and to network across the panel discussion focussed on the real life
public sector. experiences of four extraordinary women;
Kim Evans – Senior Legal Counsel at If you missed the 2018 Conference,
The 2018 conference was the largest the University of Adelaide; Jenny Scott a you can still browse photos and videos
held by the PSA more than a decade Collection Development Librarian at the at the PSA Facebook page.
with 150 women members attending, all State Library of South Australia; Michelle
focussed on “Unity in Diversity”. Diversity Hopkins a Senior Project Officer in
across culture, gender, and background Aboriginal Strategy at Department for
is important as understanding each Education; and was facilitated by Victoria
others’ stories allows us to successfully Purman – Communications Manager at
collaborate both at work and in our SA Unions.
community.
The keynote address given by ACTU
National Campaign Co-ordinator Kara
Keys, explored the wide-reaching
impacts of gender inequality in our
society and how we can build a better
future for working women in Australia.
Lucinda Hewitson from Diversity
Inclusion, addressed how unconscious
bias creates hidden barriers to achieving
20
Public Sector Review Magazine | December 2018Attendee feedback: The whole experience was The set up of the conference
fantastic. I enjoyed the was excellently presented and
opportunity to meet other well organised by the ladies
I found the panel was really women who work in a variety on the day. Great venue. I
useful and made me think of different areas for the enjoy the inspiring women in the
about our journey and more Public Service. I enjoyed the afternoon of their challenges in
passionate to work for women’s topics, I enjoyed the speakers. life and work, The bingo game
rights across government and During the day I felt positive was excellent and a great way
the wider community. about the future of women in to network in the room. The host
the PSA and Public Service. Bec was great to talk to during
the day and her good skills
in communication. I have been
ASO-1 for 25 years and now
have been upgraded to ASO-2
because of the union which I am
grateful and appreciate the good
work the union does. Because I
didn’t get many opportunities to
attend conference like the one
of the PSA Women Conference I
am so happy that you are able to
organise a women organisation for
all levels to attend to.
21
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