A Member of Parliament questions the Minister for Local Government regarding the City of Wanneroo's handling of staff changes related to the City Watch Patrol and Ranger Services, alleging unfair treatment of employees. The Minister responds that the council is entitled to determine its structure and advises aggrieved employees to seek redress through appropriate agencies.

AnsweredQoN 2336Legislative Assembly
Asked
3 December 2003
Portfolio
Local Government and Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

(b) is the Minister aware that the City of Wanneroo has transferred some of the duties of the City Watch Patrol to the Ranger Services, but has refused a union request to employ the City Watch Patrol Officers, even on a temporary basis, to the positions; (c) is the Minister aware that the City of Wanneroo’s policy is to advertise any vacancy internally in the first instance but they have refused to do that for the Ranger positions; (d) given the above section of the Local Government Act 1995 requires employees to be treated fairly and consistently, will the Minister now recognise that the City of Wanneroo is in breach of the above section of the Act; and (e) will the Minister investigate and take action under the Local Government Act 1995 ?
(c) is the Minister aware that the City of Wanneroo’s policy is to advertise any vacancy internally in the first instance but they have refused to do that for the Ranger positions; (d) given the above section of the Local Government Act 1995 requires employees to be treated fairly and consistently, will the Minister now recognise that the City of Wanneroo is in breach of the above section of the Act; and (e) will the Minister investigate and take action under the Local Government Act 1995 ?
(d) given the above section of the Local Government Act 1995 requires employees to be treated fairly and consistently, will the Minister now recognise that the City of Wanneroo is in breach of the above section of the Act; and (e) will the Minister investigate and take action under the Local Government Act 1995 ?
(e) will the Minister investigate and take action under the Local Government Act 1995 ?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
3 March 2004
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development
Response time
91 days
(a) – (c) As mentioned in my response to question 2092, local government staffing issues are not routinely brought to my attention
(d) I am advised that the City of Wanneroo has decided to make changes to its Safer Citizens Patrol Service to incorporate some of those functions within its Ranger Services. The proposed changes involve making positions of Safety Patrol Officers redundant and creating at least six new Ranger positions. My advice is that existing full time Safety Patrol Officers will have the opportunity to apply for these new positions.
I am given to understand that the re-allocation of tasks and the re-focusing of services aligns closely with those aspects of the patrols that were highly regarded by the community in a community consultation program conducted during 2002.
The Wanneroo City Council is entitled to determine its structure for administering the local government. The
Local Government Act 1995
provides broad principles, based on fairness, equity and safety, for dealing with employees. If any employee is aggrieved that they have not been properly treated, they should seek redress through appropriate Government agencies that deal with industrial issues.
(e) On the information I have received, there is no basis for me to intervene.

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