Time is running out for the ACT Government’s self-imposed deadline for the separate ACT Government Service. The Chief Minister, Rosemary Follett, is right in saying that the ACT cannot be truly self-governing without its own public service. Logically, that must eventually mean and end to automatic transfers of staff at the same level (Section 50 transfers), a point of some contention with public-sector unions.
When the two services separate after a time they will create different categories of staff and different levels. It would be absurd to allow automatic transfer between the two services at the level indefinitely. Before long the phrase will not have any meaning.
The amendments suggested by the Democrats and Liberals in the Senate is a reasonable compromise. The at-level transfers will be allowed for two years (provided the heads of the departments agree to each transfer). Thereafter all transferees from one service to the other will have to go through a selection-on-merit process.
Continue reading “1994_06_june_leader13jun”