Yesterday in Question Time I was asked to look into a voluntary redundancy within the Department of Health & Human Services.
I did as I committed to do and provided a response in writing to Labor MP Rebecca White this morning.
The Department advises that the Department's Targeted Negotiated Voluntary Redundancy process operates in accordance with the Managing Positions in the State Services Guidelines issued by State Service Management Office, and that the redundancy in question has occurred in accordance with these guidelines.
Further, as previously advised, the State Service Management Office (SSMO) is conducting full oversight of all redundancy and Workplace Renewal Incentive Program payments across all Departments.
It is hard to understand how the Labor Party can accept that the redundancy they refer to is in accordance with these guidelines – the same guidelines that were used when they were in Government – yet still selectively take issue with this case.
It is very disappointing that having failed to substantiate their repeated assertions over the last year that people would be forced to leave the public service, the Labor Party is now attacking public servants for electing to voluntarily leave the public service and applying for a voluntary redundancy.
Like all Departments, the DHHS is expected to reduce its number of public servants through voluntary means and the Targeted Negotiated Voluntary Redundancy program has been of significant assistance in achieving this aim.