Building Blocks - The Politicians Respond

Queensland politicians

Respond to ouR Questions

Authorised Alex Scott Together Secretary

1800 177 244 • www.together.org.au

What’s inside…

How we got here

Letter from Alex Scott- Together Secretary p4

Building Blocks statements

Australian Labor Party p5

The Greens p6

Katter’s Australia Party p7

Liberal National Party p8

The politicians respond to questions by Together members

Individual rights and protection at work p9

Wages policy p9

Organising Rights

ALP Response p10

Greens Response p11

LNP Response p12

Collective Bargaining and the Independent Umpire p13

Focus on services

Health p13

Communities p14

Education and training p15

Justice system p16

Police p16

Corrections p16

Queensland politicians

Respond to ouR Questions

As a group of workers we know that by acting together we can make change at work and throughout our communities.

Members have been signing up to the Building Blocks campaign and supporting others in their communities to share their story about the importance of public services in their lives.

Be part of it at www.together.org.au/buildingblocks

We have also provided the Australian Labor Party, Liberal National Party, The Greens and Katter’s Australia Party an opportunity to give an outline of their plans for Queensland which you can read in this publication.

Workplace delegates from across departments came together and voted on the key questions they had for politicians ahead of the next state election. In this publication you can see the responses from political parties.

Together delegates sought responses from politicians in relation to the following areas:

• Individualrightsandprotectionsatwork;

•Collectivebargainingandtheindependentumpire;

•Organisingrights;

•Wagespolicy;and

•Focusonservices.

In relation to these questions we received responses from the Australian Labor Party, Liberal National Party and The Greens. Katter’s Australia Party did not respond to the individual questions but did provide a statement which is included over the page.

This publication has been compiled for Together members so that you have a genuine opportunity to consider what politicians are saying about key issues that impact on

public sector workers, their families and the community. We have given politicians the opportunity to outline their plans for Queensland and respond to your questions.

Together members have been working hard tobuildabetterQueensland;nowit’stimeto decide which politicians share the same commitment as you and have real plans build a better Queensland for all of us.

hoW We got heRe

Public service management

Machinery of government

www.together.org.au Authorised Alex Scott Together Secretary

Services budget

Wages policy

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is refusing

to implement protections for individual workers

that were agreed to 3 years ago.

The current PSC won’t protect individuals or

issue directives about workers’ conditions.

As public servants, do you think the

PSC should have a role in protecting

workers in the public service?

Many people have been saying that

the current structuring of government

departments is a failure, introducing

unnecessary levels of bureaucracy.

Do you think the current structure should change or should the

current structure be maintained?

Queensland’s communities expect quality public

services. Those services are coming under increasing

pressure thanks to mounting workloads. Budgets are

stretched and workers are trying to deliver the same

services with fewer resources.

Do you believe that the top priority

in the budget should be public sector service delivery?

Current government policy is that

all workers must accept a 2.5%

wages increase - a cut in real wages.

Government services are important, and

all public sector workers are important in

building a healthy community.

At a time when prices are rising and people are

finding it hard to make ends meet, should

the government be attempting to cut

real wages?

Alex Scott, Together Secretary

Public sector workers are able to protect their working

conditions through a strong framework of law, the

independent umpire (the Industrial Commission) and

arbitration. But these things are under the control of the

state government and they could change in the future.

Do you believe the state government

should continue to uphold a strong framework for protecting rights at work?

Building blocks for a better public sector

Every three years our community gets the choice

to decide who is running Queensland through an

election. In the past, our union has used elections

to hold politicians to account for their promises.

For this coming state election, we want to

put pressure on all politicians for policies that

will build a better Queensland public sector.

What does a better public sector look like?

To build it, we need to develop a framework

to take to the politicians and the community.

This is your chance to have your say on what this

framework should look like and get involved

in the campaign for a better public service.

A blueprint for a better public sector should

include:

•Abudgetthatisfocusedonfundingthe

services that Queenslanders need.

•Effectivepublicsectormanagement

•Strongprotectionforyourrightsatwork.

•Wagespolicythatprotectslivingstandards

for workers and their families.

•Workablemachineryofgovernmenttoensurean

efficient and effective public sector.

This is a chance for us to shape what kind of a

public sector Queensland will have.

Please get involved in the movement for a better

public sector and better public services for the

people who rely on them.

Protection & rights at work

Get involved in the movement for a

better public sector and better public

services for the people who rely on them.

Visit www.together.org.au/buildingblocks for more information

Get involved

Email [email protected] for more information.

Dear Member,

I hope that the year has got off to a safe and happy start for you and your family.

2012 is shaping up as really big year for Queensland and for the work that you do.

Nobody is more important than public sector workers when it comes to delivering services to our communities. To make sure your work is valued, Together members are engaging with politicians from all parties in the lead up to this year’s state election.

We’ve mailed their responses out to all Together members so that you can assess what the candidate’s positions mean for you and your family.

The Building Blocks campaign is a campaign driven by public sector workers wanting to ensure our politicians support the quality work that you do, and to ensure that politicians have plans to invest in the people that deliver services to our growing Queensland community.

You can join the Building Blocks campaign at www.together.org.au/buildingblocks

The reality of the state budgetary situation has been demonstrated in the past few months where we have seen around 3000 Voluntary Separation Packages (VSPs) in the public sector. Regardless of the election result, we know that any new government will be facing budget pressures and calls to cut public sector jobs that will hurt our communities. As a united group, with your ongoing commitment, we have the ability to hold politicians to their word.

There’s nothing more important to workers than having a job, that’s why we have pursued job security as a priority in the face of VSPs, because you can’t continue to do the great work that you do without this security.

I am pleased to say that we have received promises from every political party and their leaders that there will be no forced redundancies in Queensland’s public sector over the next term of Government. These are important promises that have been made as a result of your willingness to take a stand for the job security and stability for the families of public sector workers. Right now, these remain just promises, but they represent the standard that all of these politicians will be judged by our Queensland community.

Politicianswillmakeplentyofpromisestoprotectyourworkingconditionsanddeliveryofservices;it’s your power as part of a union of tens of thousands of workers that will help ensure that these commitments are kept, no matter what the environment.

In 2009, union members shaped the election landscape. Faced with a threat to job security, they stood up, got active as a union group, and changed the election result.

We have the same power in different circumstances in 2012 to ensure that no matter who is elected, your communities, your work, and your vital contribution to Queensland remain the focus.

I’m confident that Together member can unite across workplaces and around our state to face these challenges and build better working lives in 2012.

Yours in union,

Alex Scott Together Secretary

12 JANUARY 2012

The Greens are well known for our wide range of policies and strong record of achievement on environmental issues. We will continue to campaign hard on these issues. But our commitment to protecting our way of life into the future involves much more than just preserving the natural beauty of our coasts and the bush and insisting on clean air, water and energy.

Our policies include measures to promote comprehensive and high quality health care, better education, safer communities with quality policing and emergency services, engaging aged care and affordable housing.

The Greens also support workplace relations laws which protect job security, safe workplaces and fair compensation for injuries sustained in the workplace. Our record in Parliaments across the nation shows we are consistent supporters of a strong and relevant industrial safety net and the right of workers to collectively bargain. We unequivocally support the right of people to be a member of an effective union, to collectively bargain, to collectively withhold labour and collectively organise in the workplace. Free, independent and democratic unions are an essential pillar of a fair society.

The Greens oppose the privatisation of public utilities, services and other essential infrastructure. We believe that public ownership protects the public interest, whereas privatisation has frequently delivered greater risks to the environment, employment, services and, in some cases, revenue streams for government.

Using private corporations to finance, build and operate public infrastructure projects has often led to a loss of accountability and increased costs to the public in the long run.

The Greens vision is for a rejuvenation of the public sector. Public enterprises can become partners with consumers and address the key challenges facing society. Public ownership can maintain quality employment, and more effectively drive the move to reductions in energy consumption and towards clean, renewable energy sources.

The Greens support public funding, ownership and control of public schools, hospitals and transport, and the provision of core government services by government enterprises, not out-sourcing.

The Greens will be campaigning for better treatment of people suffering from mental health issues. We support increased funding for basic health promotion and disease prevention, and for mental health services to satisfy acute and community care needs. Too many people in our jails are there because of inadequate assessment and treatment options for people with mental health issues.

The Greens’ platform emphasises preventative health care, government funding for dental care, affordability and access, and training more health practitioners.

We believe the major educational responsibility of government is to fund and support a high quality, secular, free public education system available to all citizens, regardless of socio-economic and cultural background, religious belief or physical, intellectual and/or sensory disability.

The Greens have been represented in the federal Parliament for over 20 years and now hold the balance of power there. The Greens also have people elected to parliaments in every other state in the country, as well as the ACT, and have over a hundred people elected to local councils around the country, including a number serving as Mayors. Our record over many years shows that when elected, we can be trusted to act responsibly and constructively, while being consistent to our promises and policies. We believe Queensland can only benefit from the added diversity and integrity that electing Greens to our Parliament would provide.

QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE Tuesday, 10 January, 2011

For more on the Australian Party contact Scott Barrett on 0434 740 698

It's the principle of it www.ausparty.org.au

A new choice for Queenslanders

Katter’s Australian Party, under the leadership of Hon Bob Katter MP in Federal Parliament and Aidan McLindon MP in Queensland Parliament, is proud of its core values and principles which underpin the party’s philosophy. These principles are not just words, but are the foundation stones of the party and will not be cast aside.

These core values have resonated strongly with Australians everywhere, and Queenslanders in particular, as the state election approaches. As a result, an average of 70 Australians are signing up to become members of Katter’s Australian Party each week.

Several of these principles relate directly to the Together Union and the questions that are important to its members. Katter’s Australian Party believes that:

• Governments are accountable to the Australian people for the management of outcomes that protect and enhance both the social and economic fabric of the Australian people and the sovereignty and independence of the Australian nation.

Without a doubt, a strong public service is vital if a government is to deliver services to Australians that will protect and enhance the nation’s social and economic fabric. Strong health, education, emergency and policing services are built on well-trained and well-paid public servants committed to providing the best possible outcome for those living in Queensland.

Australians do not see the justice between massive pay increases for politicians while wages for public servants fail to meet annual CPI increases. Neither does Katter’s Australian Party and it is committed to ending the current practice which sees wages capped below rises in living costs.

Another principle enshrined in Katter’s Australian Party relates directly to the right for Australians to undertake collective bargaining:

• Governments must ensure that every Australian, particularly employees, farmers and franchisees, are able to bargain collectively to protect and promote their economic interests and that all, wherever practicable, have access to compulsory arbitration.

Katter’s Australian Party is committed working with all unions because they have played and continue to play a most important role in ensuring that workers are represented and protected. This is a good thing for Australian workers.

Katter’s Australian Party is committed to maintaining the long-standing practice that ensures public servants are not forcibly retrenched. It supports and encourages collective bargaining and will work with the Together Union to ensure active communication and regular meetings between Directors-General and Together delegates.




A new choice for Queenslanders

Katter’s Australian Party, under the leadership of Hon Bob Katter MP in Federal Parliament and Aidan McLindon MP in Queensland Parliament, is proud of its core values and principles which underpin the party’s philosophy. These principles are not just words, but are the foundation stones of the party and will not be cast aside.

These core values have resonated strongly with Australians everywhere, and Queenslanders in particular, as the state election approaches. As a result, an average of 70 Australians are signing up to become members of Katter’s Australian Party each week.

Several of these principles relate directly to the Together Union and the questions that are important to its members. Katter’s Australian Party believes that:

• Governments are accountable to the Australian people for the management of outcomes that protect and enhance both the social and economic fabric of the Australian people and the sovereignty and independence of the Australian nation.

Without a doubt, a strong public service is vital if a government is to deliver services to Australians that will protect and enhance the nation’s social and economic fabric. Strong health, education, emergency and policing services are built on well-trained and well-paid public servants committed to providing the best possible outcome for those living in Queensland.

Australians do not see the justice between massive pay increases for politicians while wages for public servants fail to meet annual CPI increases. Neither does Katter’s Australian Party and it is committed to ending the current practice which sees wages capped below rises in living costs.

Another principle enshrined in Katter’s Australian Party relates directly to the right for Australians to undertake collective bargaining:

• Governments must ensure that every Australian, particularly employees, farmers and franchisees, are able to bargain collectively to protect and promote their economic interests and that all, wherever practicable, have access to compulsory arbitration.

Katter’s Australian Party is committed working with all unions because they have played and continue to play a most important role in ensuring that workers are represented and protected. This is a good thing for Australian workers.

Katter’s Australian Party is committed to maintaining the long-standing practice that ensures public servants are not forcibly retrenched. It supports and encourages collective bargaining and will work with the Together Union to ensure active communication and regular meetings between Directors-General and Together delegates.




Gone are the days where pro-union voters only had one choice. Katter’s Australian Party is proud of its values and the history of the union movement in Australia. It is also a party which will not sell off state assets and which is committed to strong, Australian-based and owned mining, manufacturing, tourism and agricultural sectors.

Queenslanders will have a choice to vote for their country at the next election.

The LNP wants a strong, valued and sustainable public service as part of an accountable Government, which is focused on revitalising frontline services and getting Queensland back on track. To achieve these goals, we will be calling on the expertise and dedication of many thousands of public sector employees across Queensland. We have a common interest in ensuring that Queenslanders have access to high quality public services that are efficient and responsive. I am committed to working in constructive partnership with public sector employees and their Unions, such as Together, to ensure we can achieve these common goals. As Lord Mayor of Brisbane I found that an important way to ensure high productivity and the delivery of high quality services was to work with Union members through a collective bargaining framework. If the LNP is elected, I want to maintain that same approach, because I believe it is possible to properly reward staff, while also ensuring financial sustainability and good returns for the public. The LNP recognises that Queensland’s public sector workforce is a valued source of expertise and experience. That’s why an LNP Government will ensure workers in all Government agencies have the right to share their views and contribute ideas on organisational change. I want to maintain the formal structures and consultative mechanisms that allow this to happen. In valuing the experience and commitment of public sector workers I want to repeat the pledge I’ve made earlier – there will be no forced retrenchments under an LNP Government. As well as that, I want to highlight another key pledge to restore accountability in Government. We need higher standards of Ministerial accountability in Queensland. While I expect everyone to perform and do their jobs in the best interest of Queenslanders, unlike the present Government, I won’t allow public servants to be scapegoated to protect Ministers. Public sector workers in Queensland have been repeatedly let down by Labor. I believe you deserve more respect and a Government that is actually committed to negotiating in good faith. You deserve a Government that respects your rights and gives you support to get on with the job. I believe that all public sector workers have an important role to play, whether it’s in health services, education, or community services, police and corrections, primary industries, or the many other ways that you work hard delivering for Queensland’s communities. If I am elected, you have my commitment that my government will work with you to ensure Queensland has a diverse and vibrant public sector. It’s time for change. It’s time to get Queensland back on track

Campbell Newman, Leader of the LNP

.

the politicians Respond to Questions by togetheR membeRsIndividual rights and protection at work

Will you continue the long-standing commitment that there will be no forced retrenchments of public sector workers?

ALP: Yes. Labor is committed to all existing job security provisions including “no forced redundancy”. We will not introduce forced redundancy as the LNP did in New South Wales.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens provide a commitment not to support forced retrenchments of public sector workers. The Greens’ record in the Parliaments of other states demonstrates the veracity of our commitment. This has been shown most recently by the Greens strong opposition to the attacks on the working conditions and job security of public sector workers by the Liberal/National Party government in NSW.

LNP: Under an LNP government there will be no forced retrenchments in our first term but we have indicated the need to have a ‘right sized’ public service in the future to ensure that the structures of government do improve front line service delivery and Labor’s unsustainable budget deficit is addressed. We would value the views of Together members input in achieving a sustainable, affordable and productive public sector to achieve the revitalised frontline services a future Queensland requires.

Will you restore a criteria-based mechanism for conversion of long-term temporary employees to permanent status?

ALP: Yes.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens support such a mechanism. We believe that long-term temporary employees in the public sector should not be left in a situation where they are unable to convert to permanent status. The Queensland Greens policy supports reversing the trend of increased casualisation in the workforce.

LNP: The LNP is committed to a professional permanent public service which provides frank and fearless advice under a Westminster system of ministerial accountability. The LNP notes that the ALP abolished the criteria based process for transition for temporary employees that had been negotiated by Together members through a collective bargaining agreement and an LNP government would be happy to consider re-instating such a system as part of the broader public sector reform process outlined above.

Will you commit to a ensuring the Public Service Commission (PSC) plays an active role in protecting workers’ rights, including

issuing and enforcing directives that clarify and enhance their individual protections, provide fairer disciplinary processes, and more effective resolution for workplace disputes?

ALP: Labor will continue to actively protect workers’ rights. We will work with unions to provide fair disciplinary processes and to resolve workplace disputes, and would be willing to review the effectiveness of these processes if re-elected.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens believe the Public Service Commission can and should play such a role. The Greens believe this would not only provide better protection of workers’ rights and the other benefits outlined above, but would also better enable public sector workers to be able to perform their role in a non-partisan way.

LNP: The LNP values the work and professionalism of public sector workers and their unique employment arrangements. The LNP notes the current government has reneged on the agreement with Together as part of the last Core EB to reform the disciplinary processes with the public service and would constructively engage with Together on these issues. We see strong leadership from the Public Service Commission as essential to achieving the mutual need for a productive and good value public sector.

Wages Policy

Will you support wage increases that match increases in the cost of living?

ALP: Labor in Queensland has done more than match the cost of living - we have increased wages substantially more than the CPI. Over the last 10 years an A04(4) is now almost 10 per cent better off in real terms thanks to collective agreements negotiated by the Labor government. In this time Queensland public sector workers have gone from being some of the lowest paid in the nation to wages which are nationally competitive. We will continue to work with unions to deliver fair wage increases through collective bargaining. Labor is also committed to maintaining an independent umpire.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: We support fair wage outcomes in return for fair productivity improvements. It is premature to flag specific outcomes prior to engaging in proper enterprise bargaining, but we will deal with public sector wage negotiations in better faith than has been displayed by the current Government. We won’t be trying to impose unrealistic and arbitrary outcomes that negate good faith bargaining as has been the recent experience in Queensland.

Please note Katter’s Australia Party did not respond to these individual questions - but did provide a statement included in the accompanying brochure.

Organising rights

(1) Will you commit to maintain the existing rights of Together members as contained within collective agreements and commit to maintaining these provisions in their future collective agreements?

(2) In relation to the following specific provisions: 2(i) Will you commit to continue allowing Together members to collectively organise as a union?

2(ii) Will you commit to regular, structured consultative meetings between Directors-General and Together representatives?

2(iii) Will you uphold the rights of Together workplace delegates within the workplace?

2(iv) Will you allow Together office staff to conduct briefings at inductions and meet with new starters?

QUESTION

2(v) Will you continue the provision of payroll deductions for Together union fees?

2(vi) Will workers have the right to meet with and discuss union business with Together office staff at their workplace?

Yes. Labor will adhere to all conditions of existing agreements and will continue to include such provisions in future agreements.

Labor recognises the important role unions play in the workplace. We support consultative committees as forums for unions and management to raise and work together to address workplace concerns. Labor introduced regular meetings between union representatives and Director-Generals in 2002 and will continue to support interaction with Unions. We will also continue to hold regular Queensland Labour Advisory Committee meetings to allow unions to raise their members’ concerns directly with the highest levels of the government.

Labor supports the rights of union delegates as elected representatives of workers. We will continue to:

1. Recognise them in the workplace.2. Provide them with resources to perform their

role, including meeting facilities and notice boards.

3. Allow organisers into the workplace to meet with delegates.

4. Hold consultative forums between delegates and management at an agency and local level.

5. Allow delegates reasonable work time to attend to union business.

Labor supports union membership, including by providing information about unions at engagement, allowing officials to talk to new employees and inviting unions to address induction sessions.

Yes, Labor will continue to provide payroll deductions on request from union members. We will not seek to undermine unions by withholding or cancelling payroll deductions as LNP governments have done in the past.

Yes, Labor will maintain entry provisions for union officials.

ALP RESPONSE

Organising rights






QUESTION



Yes.

The Greens support upholding the rights of Together workplace delegates within the workplace, and ensuring that those rights are not weakened via legislative or administrative changes.

The Greens would both allow and encourage such briefings to occur.

The Greens support this provision being continued.

THE GREENS RESPONSE

Without question – this is fundamental to the Greens idea of a healthy workplace, as well as an effective workplace relations system. The Greens support Together representatives being able to avail themselves of such meetings whilst ever they find this to be of use.

Yes. The Greens support this right and will oppose any attempts to constrain it via legislative or administrative changes.

Organising rights






QUESTION



Mutually respectful consultation between senior management and unions is a practical and constructive way to do business. We respect the existing rights of the Together union and will agree to continue to include such rights in future collective bargaining agreements.

LNP RESPONSE

Collective Bargaining and the Independent Umpire

Will you support the existing right of workers to collectively bargain with respect to wages and conditions?

ALP: Yes. Labor is the party of collective bargaining. We believe pay and conditions are best determined by negotiating collective agreements with Unions. The LNP is the party of WorkChoices, individual contracts and non-union agreements. They will try to force Together members into agency level non-union agreements, just like they did last time they were elected.

The Greens: Yes. The Greens policy states that “the right to be a member of a union, to collectively bargain, to collectively withhold labour and collectively organise in the workplace is essential to achieving a sustainable and democratic future.” The Greens’ record in both federal and state Parliaments around the country demonstrates consistent support for and defence of the right of workers to collectively bargain with respect to wages and conditions.

LNP: The LNP acknowledges and respects employee’s rights to participate voluntarily in collective bargaining and respects the need for an independent umpire in the form of the QIRC.

Will you maintain an independent umpire in the form of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, maintaining:

• Right to last resort arbitration; and• An interventionist role for QIRC in dispute

resolution?

ALP: Yes, we will not abolish the independent umpire as the recently elected NSW LNP government has.

The Greens: Yes. The Greens policy states that “effective processes of dispute resolution, including conciliation and arbitration before an independent tribunal are a necessary element in any fair and effective industrial relations system.” Our national policy specifies support for the maintenance of strong state, as well as national, industrial relations systems.

LNP: The LNP acknowledges and respects employee’s rights to participate voluntarily in collective bargaining and respects the need for an independent umpire in the form of the QIRC.The LNP values the QIRC having a role in effective dispute resolution. While an LNP government will collectively bargain with Together members there will remain a role for the QIRC as an independent umpire for those occasions where agreement cannot be reached.

Queensland Health

Will you commit to pursuing Queensland’s interests within a national efficient price framework by ensuring any such framework recognises the additional pricing issues associated with a large decentralised state?

ALP: Yes. The Premier made the case while negotiating the COAG Health Reform Agreement that the national efficient price framework must recognise the costs associated with delivering health services in Queensland. As a result the Premier secured extra funding and concessions for smaller and regional hospitals, and we will continue to pursue a pricing framework that ensures Queensland receives its fair share of health funding.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens recognise that the decentralised nature of the state compared to the rest of Australia generates additional costs and unique dynamics in regards to equitable service delivery and pricing structures and pledge to do all we can to ensure Queensland’s interests within a national efficient price framework.

LNP: All Queenslanders deserve the world’s best health care system and the LNP understands the challenges of delivering quality services in rural and regional Queensland, and the additional costs associated with regional service delivery, and we will fight for a fair go for all regional Queenslanders in any funding arrangements negotiated with the Commonwealth Government.

Will you guarantee that Pathology Queensland and Biomedical Technology Services will not be outsourced/contracted out or privatised?

ALP: Yes. Labor believes these services are critical to delivering quality health outcomes and are best delivered by health professionals employed within the public sector.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens policy explicitly expresses our opposition to the corporatisation or privatisation of government services. We will not support outsourcing or contracting out of these services.

LNP: Under an LNP government Pathology Queensland and Biomedical Technology Services will continue to be publicly owned and operated and Pathology Queensland will continue as the supplier of pathology services to the Local Area Health Networks.

Will you guarantee the current number of Health Practitioners within Queensland Health will not be reduced over the term of the Government?

ALP: Yes. It was this government who, for the first time, properly recognised allied health professionals as a critical component of our health workforce. We introduced the Health Practitioner Agreement, substantially increased remuneration, and have greatly increased the number of HPs. Over this term of the Government, we promised and delivered an extra 3,500 doctors, nurses and Allied Health Professionals. We will continue to increase the number of health practitioners in line with demand because they deliver

FOCUS On SeRvICeS

important services to the Queensland community.

The Greens: Yes. The Queensland Greens recognise that our growing, ageing population means that the number of Health Practitioners must, at a minimum, be maintained at current levels.

LNP: While the important contributions of HP staff do not always receive the public recognition they deserve, the LNP understands the important role of Health Practitioners in the delivery of quality health services. The LNP is committed to maintaining the number of HP staff within Queensland Health.

Do you recognise the role of the Division of Chief Health Officer as a provider of frontline services?

ALP: Yes. The work of the Division of Chief Health Officer in preventative and population health is clearly an essential and frontline service.

The Greens: Yes. The Queensland Greens recognise that this Division plays an important role as a component of frontline health services statewide.

LNP: The LNP is opposed to the current government determination that public health services are not frontline services. The LNP understands public health services are a vital part of the health continuum. Public health works need to be considered as “front line” in the on-going battle to reduce ill-health, improve good health and protect the whole community from health threats that expose the whole community to danger.

Communities

Will you protect Queensland in establishing a national efficient price framework with the national Disability Insurance Scheme (nDIS)?

ALP: Yes. For too long disabled Queenslanders and their families have gone without the financial resources they need to live a dignified life. The Bligh Government is committed to a National Disability Insurance Scheme. This Labor government has delivered massive reform to Disability Services in Queensland, taking the budget over $1 billion for the first time in Queensland’s history.

The Greens: The Greens support moves to adopt a National Disability Insurance Scheme, but repeat our commitment to ensure that Queensland’s interests within any national efficient price framework are protected.

LNP: The LNP supports the establishment of a National Disability Insurance Scheme but the LNP also understands the challenges of delivering quality services in rural and regional Queensland, and the additional costs associated with regional service delivery, and we will fight for a fair go for all regional Queenslanders in any funding arrangements negotiated with the Commonwealth Government.

Will you provide a guarantee with the nDIS that the Queensland government remains -

• The assessor of services?

• The regulator of services?

• Active in the provision of services?

ALP: Labor is committed to delivering the best possible disability services for Queenslanders.

The Greens: Yes. The Queensland Greens recognise that retaining a local role in assessing, regulating and providing services is essential.

LNP: While the LNP supports a National Disability Insurance Scheme, the proposals are not yet at stage where commitments can be given about how such a scheme can operate. But before any scheme is adopted an LNP Government will commit to consult with the community and any affected staff and their unions about the implications of such a scheme.

Will you commit to resourcing Disability Services based on identified client needs?

ALP: Labor is committed to delivering the best possible disability services for Queenslanders, no matter what their needs or where in Queensland they live. We will continue this commitment.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: The LNP is committed to a Disability Services scheme where the needs of the client are the focus.

Will you commit to a Disability Service system that supports regional flexibility and creativity in the delivery of services?

ALP: Labor is committed to delivering the best possible disability services for Queenslanders, no matter what their needs or where in Queensland they live. In fact, The Queensland Government has increased its funding for disability services by 495 per cent since 1998-99. We will continue this commitment.

The Greens: Yes. Localised flexibility in service delivery is important in ensuring it better meets the needs to the local community.

LNP: The LNP understands the valuable role of allied health professionals in providing disability services to the community and supports localised decision making in how services are provided.

Will you maintain the existing commitments to Child Safety caseload benchmarks and processes for resolving workload concerns?

ALP: Yes, existing commitments to Child Safety caseload benchmarks will be maintained and Labor is committed to further reducing the case loads of Child Safety Officers across Queensland. After decades of neglect by LNP governments it was Labor who overhauled Queensland’s child protection system. Labor introduced caseload benchmarks and dramatically improved working conditions of Child Safety Officers, which mean Queensland children

FOCUS On SeRvICeS (COnTInUeD)

are better protected from abuse than they ever have been. The Bligh Government will continue to support Queensland’s dedicated child safety officers to ensure the safety of Queensland’s most vulnerable children and young people.

The Greens: Yes. The Greens believe that existing commitments to caseload benchmarks must be maintained. We also believe that priority needs to be given to employing more caseworkers where possible to help ensure workload concerns are resolved.

LNP: The LNP is keen to improve front line service delivery within the Child Safety space and is opposed to the approach where individual staff have been made the scapegoat for the government’s failure to resource and manage the department. The LNP will support the caseload benchmarks and processes negotiated by Together members if they can be demonstrated to deliver improved outcomes for clients and staff.

education and training

Will you guarantee a centrally approved and funded model for public servants within schools?

ALP: Labor will continue to base funding on school enrolments. The LNP has rehashed their failed “Leading Schools” experiment that will be bad for school employees and bad for school kids.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: The LNP values the contribution to the school community made by non-teaching staff. The LNP supports choice in education – underpinned by a strong, vibrant and quality state education system. We have announced our intention to introduce a voluntary Independent Public School model for up to 120 school communities who choose to participate in our first term. Notably staff will remain within the Education Queensland enterprise bargaining and funding framework. The LNP is committed to centrally approved and funded model for public servants in all other schools.

Will you develop a centralised staffing and resourcing model for allied health professionals in education?

ALP: We will commit to keeping the current model for the allocation of specialised resources (including allied health professionals), which involves the centralised monitoring of both the numbers of and the individual circumstances of students identified as having special needs.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: The LNP values the role of allied health professionals in the school community and the help they provide to Queensland children. The LNP is committed to improving frontline staffing and resources and will review the staffing and funding model of allied health professionals as part of that commitment.

Will you commit to retain and increase the number of public servants within schools?

ALP: The current allocative model used in the staffing of schools assigns resources on the basis of school enrolments. Like all other school-based staff, public servants in schools are considered as “front-line” employees.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: We are committed to improving frontline staffing and resources - within schools and we will work with constructive unions in achieving that outcome.

Justice system

Will you provide for a case-based funding model for the Director of Public Prosecutions funding?

ALP: Funding of the DPP will be developed and reassessed as part of each budget. Casebased funding may not be the best model and we will consider all models for future funding.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: The problems within the justice system by the failure of the government to adequately resource the DPP are well-documented and long-standing. The LNP supports the independent role that both the DPP and Legal Aid provide in ensuring a ‘fair’ and ‘balanced’ justice system. We do not support Labor’s attack on civil proceedings fees and we do not support cuts to funding either of our key agencies. No one’s interests are served, either victim or defendants without a well supported justice system. We will be releasing more details on our specific justice policy commitments prior to the election.

Will you provide a case-based funding model for Legal Aid?

ALP: Labor believes all Queenslanders should have access to legal services. Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) has a significant funding surplus, which demonstrates the current funding model provides more than sufficient funds to meet current service demand. The case-based model may not necessarily be the appropriate one for ensuring adequate delivery of services.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: (The LNP gave a single answer to all questions in the “Justice System” section. See first response)

Will you reinstate funding for a Legal Aid contact centre?

ALP: LAQ is an independent statutory body able to determine the most effective way to deliver their services. Labor would support LAQ considering if a contact centre was an effective way to expend their budget.

The Greens: Yes.



Will you provide for a case-based funding model for court administration?

ALP: A case-based model may not necessarily be an appropriate funding model as it may not adequately reflect the workload associated with different caseloads. Each case is very different and thus providing funding per case is not necessarily the best model.

The Greens: Yes.


Police

Will you reinstate the Queensland Police Service ‘civilianisation’ public service positions?

ALP: Labor remains committed to growing frontline police and to the civilianisation initiatives which are in place to free up uniformed officers for frontline duty. If re-elected, the government will implement civilian operation of speed cameras which will free up further police resources for crime prevention.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: The LNP has taken a strong stance in relation to resources for frontline policing services - including those civilian staff that immediately support frontline services. We are committed to bolstering frontline services and will make more details available between now and the election.

Will you reinstate the Queensland Police Service ‘growth’ public service positions?

ALP: Labor remains committed to growing frontline police and to the civilianisation initiatives which are in place to free up uniformed officers for frontline duty.

The Greens: Yes.

LNP: (The LNP gave a single answer to all questions in the “Police” section. See first response)

Will you reinstate funding, earmarked for staffing purposes, for the other 250 positions?

ALP: QPS will offer around 250 VSPs to interested staff. More than 4,000 civilian staff will continue to support frontline police officers in their duties.

The Greens: Yes.


Will you benchmark the ratio of staff members to police officers across the QPS, excepting corporate service areas?

ALP: Yes.

The Greens: Yes.


Corrections

Will you guarantee adequate funding correctional centres across the state as necessary to ensure no doubling up of prisoners in cells?

ALP: This government is bringing online in 2012 new built capacity to ensure prisoners are managed in single cells. Double up arrangements are only used in temporary or transitional situations.

The Greens: The Queensland Greens are committed to reducing imprisonment rates, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As part of this, we believe investing funds up front in measures to reduce the probability of offending and reoffending will save money in imprisonment costs in the long-term. This approach has been shown to deliver results in a number of states in the USA. However, we will not support underfunding correctional centres which would lead to inadequate cell space for existing prisoner numbers.

LNP: The LNP will ensure our frontline prison staff are supported in the very important job they play in protecting Queenslanders from some of the most dangerous criminals. We believe it is intolerable that under Labor whole prisons have been mothballed while prisoners are doubled up on the floor in others. We will continue to ensure our prison system is well managed so that the kinds of bed shortages we currently see under Labor do not occur.


Documents

Building Blocks - The Politicians Respond