A authorized stoush between federal MP Monique Ryan and political staffer Sally Rugg isn’t essentially linked to present Parliament House employees workload points, a authorities minister has stated.
Ms Rugg has taken her boss and the Commonwealth of Australia to the federal courtroom, claiming she was unlawfully dismissed. The matter is at present earlier than mediation.
In an utility filed with the courtroom, Ms Rugg alleges she was denied her office proper to refuse to work “unreasonable” further hours and that the Commonwealth engaged in “hostile conduct”.
Officials from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher had been grilled on the matter throughout a senate estimates listening to on Tuesday.
First assistant secretary Kimberly McDonald confirmed PM&C had not sought out or obtained recommendation in regards to the implications the case might have ought to mediation fail.
When requested, Senator Gallagher didn’t wish to hyperlink the case to crossbench issues about political staffer workloads.
“That case is a matter that’s underway, being dealt with through various processes … I don’t think it’s fair to say that (case) and the across the board staffing issue are necessarily one and the same,” she informed the listening to.
The minister added she wished the general situation of employees workloads to be resolved by a deliberate evaluate to be undertaken by the Office of Parliamentarian Staffing and Culture.
The unbiased inquiry was a suggestion of final 12 months’s evaluate into the legislation that regulates the work preparations for workers of federal parliamentarians, itself a suggestion of Sex Discrimination Kate Jenkins’ 2021 Set the Standard report.
But the probe can’t start till the federal government legislates to ascertain the OPSC – the HR mannequin beneficial by Ms Jenkins.
Greens senator Larissa Waters questioned if it was applicable that employees who work “impossible hours” should await the end result of yet one more evaluate earlier than motion is taken.
“We are getting the legislation drafted. That is a priority, to get the PWSS (Parliamentary Workplace Support Service) enhanced or the new HR entity in place as soon as we can,” Senator Gallagher replied.
“But the Members of Parliament Staff act review recommended that (OPSC) conduct that review … because the legislation will establish them as an independent entity.
“I think that is the appropriate place for that work to be done. I think the key is trying to get the legislation in place, and agreed as soon as we can.”
Asked if PM&C was contemplating any interim measures, Ms McDonald stated it was a matter for the federal government.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
