Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, upon notice, on 27 April 2011:

With reference to the department and the agencies within the Minister's portfolio:

(1) What is the total number of staff currently employed.

(2) What is the total number of staff with a disability currently employed.

(3) What policies or programs are in place to encourage the recruitment of people with a disability.

(4) What retention strategies are in place for people with a disability.

(5) What career pathways or plans are on offer for people with a disability; if none, why.

(6) Are there any specific targets for recruitment and retention; if not, why not.

(7) What policies, programs or services are there to support staff with a disability.

(8) Can details be provided of any policies, programs, services or plans currently under development within the department and its agencies, concerning the employment of people with a disability.

Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The Department will respond to the Senator's question for the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and its portfolio agency, the National Capital Authority.

(1) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

As at 2 May 2011, the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government (the Department) had a headcount of 358 employees engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.

National Capital Authority

As at 30 April 2011, the National Capital Authority (NCA) had a headcount of 67 employees.

(2) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

As at 2 May 2011, the Department had 3 staff who identified as having a disability.

National Capital Authority

As at 30 April 2011, the NCA had 1 employee who identified as having a disability.

(3) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

Since its establishment in September 2010, the Department has been developing a full range of human resource strategies, policies and plans. A Diversity plan and Disability Employment strategy are expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.

National Capital Authority

Recruitment decisions in the NCA comply with all Commonwealth requirements including; the Public Service Act 1999, Public Service Commissioner's Directions 1999, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Fair Work Act 2009.

The NCA has a Workplace Diversity Policy and Workplace Diversity Plan to assist in giving effect to the APS Values contained in section 10 of the Public Service Act 1999.

The Workplace Diversity Plan is based on the following principles:

As part of its commitment to be a model employer, which complies with all relevant laws and the Commonwealth Disability Strategy, the NCA has implemented the following policies and practices to encourage the recruitment of people with a disability:

an assessment is made of the relative suitability of the candidates for the duties, using a competitive selection process;

the assessment is based on the relationship between the candidates' work related qualities and the work related qualities genuinely required for the duties;

the assessment focuses on the relative capacity of the candidates to achieve outcomes related to the duties; and

the assessment is the primary consideration in making the decision.

identify as a person with a disability; and

note any special arrangements the applicant might require for interview.

(4) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

Since its establishment in September 2010, the Department has been developing a full range of human resource strategies, policies and plans. A Diversity plan and Disability Employment strategy are expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.

National Capital Authority

The NCA makes use of the following retention strategies:

learning and development required in order to carry out current duties/tasks for the current financial year;

professional development that relates to the employee's current work and/or work of the business unit; and

future career development

(5) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

As a relatively new Department, HR framework strategies and policies are being developed. Of these, the Diversity plan and Disability Employment strategy are a priority.

National Capital Authority

The NCA is a small APS agency of approximately 52 full-time equivalent staff with its statutory and regulatory functions defined under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988.

The NCA requires a diverse range of skills from its workforce, primarily in the professional areas of urban planning, architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, corporate business and finance.

Because the NCA has an ongoing need to maintain a minimum level of specialised professional staff to perform its statutory responsibilities under the relevant legislation, it does not have a traditional career pathway for any of its employees, including opportunities for potential employees with a disability or our current employees with a disability that exists in larger APS agencies.

The NCA will continue to promote the agency as an employer who is committed to upholding the APS Values of providing a workplace free from discrimination and promoting equity in employment.

It will also continue to support the immediate and longer term career goals of its existing employees with a disability by providing access to ongoing learning and development needs and study assistance.

(6) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

Once it is developed the Department's Workplace Diversity plan and Disability Employment strategy will help determine appropriate specific targets

National Capital Authority

The NCA does not have any specific targets for recruitment or retention.

The NCA's employment practices are designed to ensure continual compliance with the law, government policies which provides that all NCA staff, including those who suffer from a disability, have the opportunity to effectively contribute their skills and full potential to the workforce.

(7) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

Since its establishment in September 2010, the Department has been developing a full range of human resource strategies, policies and plans. A diversity plan and disability employment strategy are expected to be completed in the second half of 2011.

National Capital Authority

As noted above, the NCA supports employees with a disability through:

(8) Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government

The Department diversity plan and disability employment strategy are currently being developed.

National Capital Authority

The NCA does not have any policies, programs, services or plans currently under development concerning employment of people with a disability.

The NCA will be reviewing its Workplace Diversity Policy and Workplace Diversity Plan in 2011-12.