Consultation on the Creation of the Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) – member update - Public Service Association

Consultation on the Creation of the Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) – member update

PSA representatives met with the newly appointed Chief People Officer and IR representatives of the Department of Regional NSW on Tuesday 14 April to begin consultation of the Creation of DRNSW.

As part of that consultation, DRNSW representatives took the PSA and PA through the rationale for creation; the processes for the transfer of corporate staff; a brief overview of the budgetary situation and; discussion on the current consultative mechanisms.

The PSA committed to providing the first tranche of questions/items to DRNSW as part of that consultative process. You can see a copy of the correspondence HERE. Much of the questioning related to the structural make-up of DRNSW and some of the immediate factors for concern, such as budgets. Some of the questions are much longer term in their scope, such as locations of offices.

For many members who were imbedded in DRNSW from the operation of the recent admin orders, there is no change to the current duties, reporting or remit. For corporate aligned functions, there will be immediate differences.

Can I be directed into DRNSW from DPIE?

This is advice for the staff who are not subject to the Admin Orders and the short answer is, yes. However, there is a process that must be followed and that information is contained in s.29 of the Government Sector Employment Rules where it states:

29   Transfer of employees between government sector agencies

  • A government sector employee may be transferred to the service of another government sector agency by agreement between the agency heads.
  • Except where the employee initiates the transfer or consents to a transfer at a lower level, a government sector employee may only be transferred to another agency at the same or equivalent grade or level.
  1. (2A) Before a government sector employee is transferred under this rule, the head of the government sector agency to which the employee is transferred is to ensure that the employee is suitable for the role, position or work to be assigned to the employee in that agency.
  • A government sector employee who requests a transfer must do so in writing to the head of the agency in which the person is employed.
  • Unless it is initiated by the employee, the person who initiates a transfer must—
    • provide reasonable notice to the employee of the transfer, and
    • advise the employee that the employee may request a review of the transfer within 10 business days after the employee is notified of the transfer.
  1. Section 64 (2) of the Act also requires the employee to be consulted.
  • The transfer of a government sector employee to another agency has effect only if it is confirmed in writing by the agency heads concerned. A copy of the confirmation is to be provided to the employee.

I am a temporary or casual; what’s happening to me after 30 June?

Your previous DPIE Secretary provided communique to staff committing to continue temporary and casual roles up to 25 September 2020. However, due to the substantiate differences in funding (external sources, not consolidated revenue) of roles between DRNSW and DPIE, the DRNSW Secretary can only commit to continuing arrangements for those staff until June 30, some mere 10 weeks away.

It is the intention of the DRNSW Secretary to write to NSW Treasury. Whilst the exact wording has not been provided to the PSA, the gist of the correspondence is seeking to obtain funding for the extension of a number of affected roles going forward.

The obvious concern is the potential loss of a number of temporary and casual roles if further funding does not materialise. This has serious consequences for individuals affected but will also trickle down into those region communities already under stress. This will be one of the first tests for the Deputy Premier in his new role as Minister for Regional NSW.

Current & future consultative mechanisms

The current consultative mechanisms that the PSA/PA have with DRNSW like the LLS JCC and Fisheries Operations Forums will continue as normal. The almost daily interactions between the PSA and IR representatives will also remain.

However, the PSA has flagged the possibility of creating new structures that will align with the membership in an effort to better represent members’ interests. That will require assistance form the membership to identify, develop and maintain those structures with help from the PSA.

Have your say

The PSA is seeking your input on the questions being asked of DRNSW as we consult on its creation and development. Whilst it is much too early for an assessment of individual circumstances, there are still a number of overarching questions that the membership will want asked and answered. You can contact the PSA by emailing with the subject DRNSW Creation Questions.

The PSA looks forward to hearing from you.              

Not a member and want your say? Join at www.psa.asn.au/join.

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