❓ Question regarding the recruitment drive for child protection workers, addressing concerns about departmental culture and executive accountability. The Minister provides details on staffing allocation, executive changes, and employment criteria.
AnsweredQoN 3Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILD PROTECTION WORKERS - RECRUITMENT DRIVE
I refer to the statewide recruitment drive to employ an additional 300 people in the area of child protection. (1) Given that in a submission to the Prudence Ford review some workers stated that the department has a culture of management that is autocratic and politicised and is based on tactics of fear and intimidation that has been allowed to continue by some executives and which has been supported by some managers, has any executive other than the chief executive officer resigned from the department? (2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to the statewide recruitment drive to employ an additional 300 people in the area of child protection. (1) Given that in a submission to the Prudence Ford review some workers stated that the department has a culture of management that is autocratic and politicised and is based on tactics of fear and intimidation that has been allowed to continue by some executives and which has been supported by some managers, has any executive other than the chief executive officer resigned from the department? (2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(1) Given that in a submission to the Prudence Ford review some workers stated that the department has a culture of management that is autocratic and politicised and is based on tactics of fear and intimidation that has been allowed to continue by some executives and which has been supported by some managers, has any executive other than the chief executive officer resigned from the department? (2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
[See paper 2388.]
(1) Given that in a submission to the Prudence Ford review some workers stated that the department has a culture of management that is autocratic and politicised and is based on tactics of fear and intimidation that has been allowed to continue by some executives and which has been supported by some managers, has any executive other than the chief executive officer resigned from the department? (2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(2) If no to (1), what will change at the executive level to stop the decision making process at the executive and senior management levels in the department from being secretive and exclusive? (3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(3) How many of the 300 workers will become front-line child protection workers? (4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(4) Will the minister table the employment criteria? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(1)-(2) No. However, it is relevant to note that the former director general resigned to retire in November 2006. Over the past 12 months there have been a number of changes of personnel for the positions of Department for Community Development director and executive director. In addition, a review of the department and the creation of a new department of child protection will result in a number of new appointments to the executive. These vacancies have been advertised across the public sector. A job description form for the director general of the soon-to-be-created department for child protection has been drafted and the selection process for the position will commence shortly. The recent change of minister, the appointment of a new director general and other pending executive appointments are indications that a significant change in the leadership of the department is under way. If the honourable member is aware of any specific allegations of bullying or any other misconduct, as implied by this question, she should provide me with the details and I will ensure that the allegations are pursued diligently through every appropriate channel. Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon Robyn McSweeney : Ask the union. That is where they came from. Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
Hon SUE ELLERY : If the member repeats them, she must give me the specific details; otherwise I cannot investigate them. (3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(3) Of the 300 additional appointments, 230 will be front-line workers; that is, field workers, senior field workers and team leaders. The rest comprise staff who will directly support the front-line workers; that is, psychologists, paralegal officers, duty-of-care staff, training officers and administrative support workers. (4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
(4) I table the criteria as requested. The member should note that there are some exemptions to the requirements of tertiary qualifications for indigenous applicants, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and those from rural or remote areas. Ninety-three per cent of the 161 new staff employed in the current financial year have tertiary qualifications. The government has accepted recommendation 23 of the Prudence Ford review. Therefore, support will be provided to staff without tertiary qualifications so that they can gain those qualifications. [See paper 2388.]
[See paper 2388.]
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