❓ Hon George Cash questions the lack of paid leave for Justices of the Peace in the hospital system, contrasting it with provisions for emergency service volunteers. Hon Sue Ellery responds, justifying the difference based on the nature of the duties.
AnsweredQoN 567Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given that public servants who are required to carry out voluntary work, such as bush fire fighting or crew member duties on marine rescue operations, during working hours can be granted leave with pay for the period involved, can justices of the peace who work in the hospital system be granted the same leave with pay; and, if not, what are the public policy reasons that underpin such a discriminatory policy? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. Public sector employees, including those working in hospitals, who are active volunteers of a recognised emergency organisation are entitled to paid leave for attendance at emergencies declared by the relevant authority. Generally such attendance in an emergency is for the protection of life and/or property. Specific leave for justices of the peace to undertake their role is not provided in public sector awards or agreements, although employers are generally flexible in negotiating leave arrangements, if necessary, to allow time for justices of the peace to carry out their functions. The distinction between the arrangements is in the nature and purpose of the function for which paid leave is granted; in this case, it is the protection of life and/or property.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. Public sector employees, including those working in hospitals, who are active volunteers of a recognised emergency organisation are entitled to paid leave for attendance at emergencies declared by the relevant authority. Generally such attendance in an emergency is for the protection of life and/or property. Specific leave for justices of the peace to undertake their role is not provided in public sector awards or agreements, although employers are generally flexible in negotiating leave arrangements, if necessary, to allow time for justices of the peace to carry out their functions. The distinction between the arrangements is in the nature and purpose of the function for which paid leave is granted; in this case, it is the protection of life and/or property.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. Public sector employees, including those working in hospitals, who are active volunteers of a recognised emergency organisation are entitled to paid leave for attendance at emergencies declared by the relevant authority. Generally such attendance in an emergency is for the protection of life and/or property. Specific leave for justices of the peace to undertake their role is not provided in public sector awards or agreements, although employers are generally flexible in negotiating leave arrangements, if necessary, to allow time for justices of the peace to carry out their functions. The distinction between the arrangements is in the nature and purpose of the function for which paid leave is granted; in this case, it is the protection of life and/or property.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. Public sector employees, including those working in hospitals, who are active volunteers of a recognised emergency organisation are entitled to paid leave for attendance at emergencies declared by the relevant authority. Generally such attendance in an emergency is for the protection of life and/or property. Specific leave for justices of the peace to undertake their role is not provided in public sector awards or agreements, although employers are generally flexible in negotiating leave arrangements, if necessary, to allow time for justices of the peace to carry out their functions. The distinction between the arrangements is in the nature and purpose of the function for which paid leave is granted; in this case, it is the protection of life and/or property.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. Public sector employees, including those working in hospitals, who are active volunteers of a recognised emergency organisation are entitled to paid leave for attendance at emergencies declared by the relevant authority. Generally such attendance in an emergency is for the protection of life and/or property. Specific leave for justices of the peace to undertake their role is not provided in public sector awards or agreements, although employers are generally flexible in negotiating leave arrangements, if necessary, to allow time for justices of the peace to carry out their functions. The distinction between the arrangements is in the nature and purpose of the function for which paid leave is granted; in this case, it is the protection of life and/or property.
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