Published Tuesday, 19 June, 2007 at 04:31 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Local Government, Planning and Sport
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
JOBS GUARANTEE EXTENDED UNTIL 2011
The State Government today enhanced its jobs guarantee to council staff throughout Queensland by extending it to include all employees at the senior executive level.
Premier Peter Beattie and Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser extended the previously announced Staff Support Package a further year from the two years announced last month, guaranteeing jobs through to 2011 while affected councils make the transition.
Mr Beattie made the announcement after today’s meeting with AgForce and Mayors from the state’s west and said the guarantee now meant only Mayors and councillors and chief executive officers were excluded from job security guarantees.
The State Government announced the Staff Support Package last month, allocating an initial $12 million to assist councils through the transition to a more effective and streamlined system of local government in Queensland.
“What this means is that there will be no forced redundancies for any employees other than chief executive officers,” Mr Beattie said.
“This needs to be made very clear – everyone who currently works in local government will be able to continue to work in local government.
“The only people who will be affected are those mayors, councillors and chief executive officers of councils which are identified by the Local Government Reform Commission for amalgamation or boundary changes.
“What we have done today is offer this very clear guarantee about jobs.
“Key stakeholders had voiced their concerns, asking that the package be extended to three years and we’ve listened to what people are saying and responded appropriately.”
Mr Fraser said the three-year package would apply from the March 2008 local government elections through to March 2011 as Councils made the transition.
“It’s imperative we help council workers in those areas that might be affected with the most orderly transition possible and do everything in our power to minimise the impact on jobs and uncertainty for employees,” Mr Fraser said.
“The Support Package provides certainty to staff about jobs, job changes, employment security and the support available to assist in the transition.
“About 37,000 people work in the local government sector and the government is determined that those jobs are protected through the process of reform.
“I understand that reform is difficult and I understand and appreciate the level of concern and uncertainty among council employees.
“But it’s critical the reform process takes place to equip Queensland with the most effective form of local government to take us into the 21st Century.”
The independent, seven-member Local Government Reform Commission will hand its report to the State Government on August 1.
At that time the report will also be made public.
19 June, 2007
Further inquiries:
Premiers Office – (07) 3224 4500
Ministers Office - Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
Premier Peter Beattie and Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser extended the previously announced Staff Support Package a further year from the two years announced last month, guaranteeing jobs through to 2011 while affected councils make the transition.
Mr Beattie made the announcement after today’s meeting with AgForce and Mayors from the state’s west and said the guarantee now meant only Mayors and councillors and chief executive officers were excluded from job security guarantees.
The State Government announced the Staff Support Package last month, allocating an initial $12 million to assist councils through the transition to a more effective and streamlined system of local government in Queensland.
“What this means is that there will be no forced redundancies for any employees other than chief executive officers,” Mr Beattie said.
“This needs to be made very clear – everyone who currently works in local government will be able to continue to work in local government.
“The only people who will be affected are those mayors, councillors and chief executive officers of councils which are identified by the Local Government Reform Commission for amalgamation or boundary changes.
“What we have done today is offer this very clear guarantee about jobs.
“Key stakeholders had voiced their concerns, asking that the package be extended to three years and we’ve listened to what people are saying and responded appropriately.”
Mr Fraser said the three-year package would apply from the March 2008 local government elections through to March 2011 as Councils made the transition.
“It’s imperative we help council workers in those areas that might be affected with the most orderly transition possible and do everything in our power to minimise the impact on jobs and uncertainty for employees,” Mr Fraser said.
“The Support Package provides certainty to staff about jobs, job changes, employment security and the support available to assist in the transition.
“About 37,000 people work in the local government sector and the government is determined that those jobs are protected through the process of reform.
“I understand that reform is difficult and I understand and appreciate the level of concern and uncertainty among council employees.
“But it’s critical the reform process takes place to equip Queensland with the most effective form of local government to take us into the 21st Century.”
The independent, seven-member Local Government Reform Commission will hand its report to the State Government on August 1.
At that time the report will also be made public.
19 June, 2007
Further inquiries:
Premiers Office – (07) 3224 4500
Ministers Office - Chris Taylor 0419 710 874