The PSA would like to update members about the status of the Court Reporters Vocational Group (CRVG).

As the CRVG had not held elections, conducted an Annual General Meeting (AGM), or met as required by the PSA Rules and Bylaws, it was unfortunately considered inoperative, and all positions considered vacant. Pursuant to the PSA Rules and ByLaws, any Group inoperative for 12 months requires the Group to be considered at a meeting of the PSA Executive, and action taken to revive or dissolve the group. On Monday 28 August 2023, the PSA Executive met and approved a recommendation to revive the Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group.

A formal call for nominations to the newly constituted Court Reporters Vocational Advisory Group will be forthcoming. Please keep an eye out and nominate if you are interested in being a part of the Committee.

Consultation requirements: what can we raise at JCCs?

Agencies covered by the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award 2009 are required to apply the 1997 Consultative Arrangements Policy. This requirement was set out in a matter the PSA won regarding consultation in the Industrial Relations Commission in 2014.

The ruling stated:

The necessary implication must be that, if management and the PSA are to effectively consult on ‘matters of mutual interest and concern, both formal and informal’, they are required to do so in accordance with the 1997 Consultative Arrangements…. the language of cl.65.1, when read in context, confirms an intention that there be an effective means of consultation between management and the PSA in the form of the 1997 Consultative Arrangements which carried with it a legal obligation to comply with those Arrangements. ……The parties will be required to act in accordance with those provisions by undertaking consultation within the framework of those Arrangements and, in the case of terms expressed as being obligatory, to act accordingly.”

The PSA considers that any requirement that matters must be raised at staff meetings before discussion by the union and management to not be in keeping with the Consultative Arrangements. The Policy Principles states that:

• The relevant union(s) is recognised as the legitimate representative of employees and the channel for negotiation.
• Provision to the union and its representatives of relevant and appropriate information is necessary to enable them to make informed contributions to Issues.

The PSA will continue to raise issues that our members want raised at Consultative Forums, regardless of any attempts to limit the effectiveness of the Consultative Arrangements.