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

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Resources and Energy, 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.

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

The Minister for Resources and Energy has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The number of staff employed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (RET) on 27 April 2011 was 521.

The number of staff employed by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) on 27 April 2011 was 61.

The number of staff employed by Geoscience Australia (GA) on 27 April 2011 was 770.

The number of staff employed by Tourism Australia (TA) on 27 April 2011 was 222.

The number of staff employed by the Australian Solar Institute (ASI) on 27 April 2011 was 6.

(2) The number of staff employed by RET that identified as having a disability on 27 April 2011 was 6.

The number of staff employed by NOPSA that identified as having a disability on 27 April 2011 was 0.

The number of staff employed by GA that identified as having a disability on 27 April 2011 was 4.

The number of staff employed by TA that identified as having a disability on 27 April 2011 was 0.

The number of staff employed by ASI that identified as having a disability on 27 April 2011 was 0.

(3) Resources, Energy and Tourism: RET recruitment practices have respect to obligations under the Fair Work ACT 1999. the Disability Discrimination ACT 1992 and the Public Service ACT 1999 including the Public Service Commissioner's directions.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority: NOPSA complies with the Public Service Act 1999, the Public Service Regulations 1999 and the Public Service Commissioner's Directions. NOPSA advertises widely and provides the opportunity for all eligible members of the Australian community to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and capability of the applicant to undertake the duties of the position

Geoscience Australia: GA's current recruitment process is merit based and as such, eligible applicants with a disability are welcome to apply. A specific section of the job application documentation provides applicants with an opportunity to identify whether they have a disability and whether they have special needs that should be considered during the recruitment process.

Tourism Australia: TA advertises all permanent vacancies externally and recruits strictly on a merit basis. As such, qualified applicants with a disability are welcome to apply.

Australian Solar Institute: ASI recruitment practices are merit based and comply with all applicable laws and standards

(4) All staff at are treated equally with recruitment and retention strategies being applicable to all staff irrespective of capacity. All staff are provided with a flexible workplace, flexible hours and modifications are made to workstations as required.

(5) All staff within the portfolio are treated equally and have access to training and assistance with career management.

(6) Recruitment is undertaken on a merit selection model and retention strategies apply to all staff.

(7) Resources, Energy and Tourism: RET provides workstation assessments, specialist IT equipment, car parking assistance, access to an Employee Assistance Program, family assistance arrangements, flexible working hours.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority: NOPSA provides a flexible workplace, flexible hours and modifications are made to workstations as required.

Geoscience Australia: Geoscience Australia provides all staff with equality in their working environment. In the event an employee has a disability or special needs in order to perform their duties, the Rehabilitation, Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety Manager is available to facilitate provision of support for those staff members. The Geoscience Australia building is compliant with all prevailing codes relating to parking, access and provision of facilities for individuals with a disability.

Tourism Australia: Tourism Australia provides all staff with equality in their working environment. In the event an employee has a disability or special needs in order to perform their duties, professional assessment and support services to permit an adjustment of the work environment or duties are provided.

Australian Solar Institute: The ASI provides all staff with equality and flexibility in the workplace. The ASI is committed to adopting the highest professional standards and complying with all applicable laws and standards in a discrimination free environment.

(8) Resources, Energy and Tourism: All policies and services are current.

National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority: All policies and services are current.

Geoscience Australia: All staff, with a disability or otherwise have access to Geoscience Australia initiatives that are currently in place such as workstation assessments, health promotion activities (e.g. flu shots, health checks) and rehabilitation case management if required.

Tourism Australia: All policies and services are current.

Australian Solar Institute: All policies and services are current.