Senate debates Questions on Notice
Infrastructure and Transport: Staffing (Question No. 619)
Rachel Siewert WA, Australian Greens
asked the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, upon notice, on 27 April 2011:
(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.
Kim Carr Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:
(1) The total number of staff employed by the Department is 961.
(2) The total number of staff with a disability currently employed by the Department is 25. Note that this represents 2.6% of employees as identifying as having a disability.
(3) The Department has a Workplace Diversity and Equity Strategy for 2011-2015 that is committed to achieving a target of 3% of employees as identifying as having a disability.
(4) The Department does not have specific retention strategies for people with a disability.
(5) The Department's 2011-2015 Workplace Diversity and Equity Strategy is the underpinning policy framework for developing plans for people with a disability.
(6) By 2015, the Department is committed to achieving a 3% target of employees identifying as having a disability.
(7) Under the Department's Workplace Diversity and Equity Strategy for 2011-2015, existing measures will be reviewed and new initiatives will be developed to support staff with a disability.
(8) The Department's 2011-2015 Workplace Diversity and Equity Strategy is the underpinning policy framework for developing plans for people with a disability.