❓ Opposition asks about the impact of a public sector recruitment freeze on the Department of Education, specifically regarding vacant positions, short-term staffing, and school productivity. The Minister provides a response outlining the department's processes and impact.
AnsweredQoN 25Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR RECRUITMENT FREEZE —
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
25. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for
Education:
I refer to the public sector
recruitment freeze, which precludes any new employees into the sector and,
given the department's reliance on the use of fixed-term contracts for
filling normal temporary vacancies created by staff taking approved leave.
(1) How many positions are currently
vacant and unable to be filled because of the freeze?
(2) How any
positions are currently being filled for periods of less than two weeks to
avoid triggering the industrial requirement for a fixed-term contract?
(3) How many
schools have expressed frustration at lost productivity in managing the public
sector recruitment freeze?
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
25. Hon SUE ELLERY to the Minister for
Education:
I refer to the public sector
recruitment freeze, which precludes any new employees into the sector and,
given the department's reliance on the use of fixed-term contracts for
filling normal temporary vacancies created by staff taking approved leave.
(1) How many positions are currently
vacant and unable to be filled because of the freeze?
(2) How any
positions are currently being filled for periods of less than two weeks to
avoid triggering the industrial requirement for a fixed-term contract?
(3) How many
schools have expressed frustration at lost productivity in managing the public
sector recruitment freeze?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Education does not maintain a register of vacant positions, as
principals and other managers may choose to leave positions vacant from time to
time. The department has a register of positions that schools wish to fill.
Teaching positions are exempt and are being filled in accordance with the
normal process. When all options available in the freeze have been exhausted,
the department has sought an exemption. Applications for 13.88 full-time
equivalent positions are pending approval. This includes positions for the
Country High School Hostels Authority.
(2) The
department allows periods of up to 20 days to be filled by relief staff. This
is consistent with industrial agreements that specify any period less than 20
days to be casual and therefore not requiring a fixed-term contract.
(3) I am advised that a small number
of staff have anecdotally reported some frustration with the freeze.
some notice of this question.
(1) The
Department of Education does not maintain a register of vacant positions, as
principals and other managers may choose to leave positions vacant from time to
time. The department has a register of positions that schools wish to fill.
Teaching positions are exempt and are being filled in accordance with the
normal process. When all options available in the freeze have been exhausted,
the department has sought an exemption. Applications for 13.88 full-time
equivalent positions are pending approval. This includes positions for the
Country High School Hostels Authority.
(2) The
department allows periods of up to 20 days to be filled by relief staff. This
is consistent with industrial agreements that specify any period less than 20
days to be casual and therefore not requiring a fixed-term contract.
(3) I am advised that a small number
of staff have anecdotally reported some frustration with the freeze.
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