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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, 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.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) 5410

(2) 137

(3), (4) and (7): There are a range of policies and programs in place in the department and the agencies within the portfolio to encourage the recruitment of people with a disability and to retain those staff. For example, the Department of Sustainability. Environment, Water. Population and Communities has developed a Disability Action Plan 2009-2011 to encourage the recruitment and retention of people with a disability and this is supported by the department's recruitment policy and procedures. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is guided by the Commonwealth Disability Strategy and has a specific Workplace Diversity Program Action Plan. The National Water Commission is an equal opportunity employer. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has a Disability Strategy which includes a range of initiatives to encourage the recruitment of people with a disability, including flexible working arrangements. Within the Bureau of Meteorology, diversity policies and plans such as the Workplace Diversity Program, Disability Action Plan and Enterprise Agreement are promoted and accessible to inform both employees and candidates. Education for employees in anti-discrimination legislation is promoted to all employees and successful completion rates are monitored.

(5) and (6) The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, and its portfolio agencies, are guided by the Australian Public Service Commission publications, including Ability at Work — Tapping the Talent of People with Disability.

(8) The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities' Disability Action Plan 2009-2011 is currently under review, with a new plan to be available from 2012. Policies and procedures will be reviewed to support the new plan. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is reviewing its recruitment policy and procedures. The Bureau of Meteorology's Workplace Diversity Program 2011-2014 is soon to be released and a Disability Action Plan review will follow.