Public Service and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Education, Employment and Small Business Committee
▸12 members spoke7 support5 mixed
As Minister for Industrial Relations, moved the second reading and replied in debate. Outlined reforms from the Bridgman review to improve public sector employment laws including job security for temporary and casual workers.
“Together, these reforms will ensure a fair and responsive Public Service for all.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Stated the LNP does not oppose the bill's changes but criticised the government's record on public service management and industrial relations, particularly regarding union disruption on construction sites.
“The LNP does not oppose these changes.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Supported the bill as containing important reforms for public service employment to be fair and responsive for all Queenslanders.
“I rise to support the Public Service and Other Legislation Amendment Bill and the important reforms contained within.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
As committee member, did not oppose the bill but accused the government of populist politics by introducing reforms close to the election after years of delay.
“While the LNP does not oppose clause 28 of this bill which allows a public servant subject to disciplinary action to request mediation.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Supported the bill and praised the minister for looking after public servants in Queensland.
“I commend the bill to the House. I thank the minister for looking after our public servants in Queensland.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Stated the LNP would not oppose the bill but criticised the government for taking until the eleventh hour to make public servants a priority.
“Whilst we will not be opposing this bill, there are a few issues that I will briefly highlight.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Supported the bill as fundamentally about job security for frontline public sector workers.
“I rise briefly to support this bill, which at its heart is about security of employment for our frontline public sector workers.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Spoke in support of the Public Service and its importance to rural and regional Queensland.
“I want to honour our Public Service and the support they give to rural and regional Queensland.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Supported the bill as giving hardworking public servants fairer working conditions.
“Those opposite have no respect for them and do not support bills like this that give our hardworking public servants fairer working conditions.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Raised concerns about public service delivery issues in regional areas and argued for more accountability and transparency in government.
“We will get on with improving the Public Service through changing the culture and having more accountability and transparency in government.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Stated the LNP does not oppose the bill but raised concerns about the time taken to bring the reforms forward and the length of disciplinary processes.
“The LNP does not oppose the bill. However, we do have some concerns.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Stated the KAP would support the bill as a party that works to protect industrial relations rights for all Queensland workers.
“The KAP will support the bill as it makes passage through the parliament today because we want to make sure that our public servants are looked after.”— 2020-09-09View Hansard
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Queensland public sector employment laws to give government workers greater job security and fairer treatment. It makes permanent employment the default, creates pathways for temporary and casual workers to become permanent, and establishes positive performance management principles that emphasise support over discipline.
Who it affects
Queensland public servants, particularly those employed on temporary or casual basis who gain new conversion rights. All public sector employees benefit from improved performance management and clearer discipline thresholds.
Key changes
- Permanent employment becomes the default basis for public sector jobs - temporary or casual employment only used when justified
- Temporary and casual employees can request conversion to permanent employment after 12 months, with mandatory review at 2 years
- Employees acting in higher positions for over 12 months can request permanent appointment at that level
- New positive performance management principles require managers to support employee development before considering discipline
- Disciplinary action limited to conduct that is 'sufficiently serious' - minor infringements no longer grounds for discipline
- Public service appeals transferred to the Industrial Relations Commission for greater consistency
- New Special Commissioner role to advise on public administration and conduct inquiries
- Eligibility for public service jobs expanded to all people with legal right to work in Australia