Scott Bacon, Denison
Public Sector
Wages
Do you believe public sector workers are fairly
paid for the work they perform or do you feel
they are underpaid/overpaid?
We need to maintain competitive wages to attract
and maintain public sector workers. The Labor
Government has worked closely with the CPSU to
reach a wages agreement through a time of
Budget challenges. It is also very important to
maintain a focus on ensuring there is a positive
work environment with conditions that encourage
a motivated and well supported workforce.
Do you support politicians receiving the same
wage increases that are paid to public sector
workers?
The Labor Party has committed to link MP Salaries
to future Public Sector wage increases and this is
an appropriate approach.
Job Security
Do you support the current arrangement
whereby public sector workers have permanent
tenure of employment?
Permanency is an important part of the Public
Sector Award. As well as permanency continuing I
would like to see us work closely with the CPSU on
ensuring workers are rewarded for their efforts
appropriately and that there is a culture of
excellence being
Would you support a policy that involved making
permanent public sector workers forcibly
redundant?
No. Focus should be on an effective and wellresourced performance management process.
Maintaining State Services
Given the cuts to the public sector over the past 4
years, would you agree that the public sector can’t
absorb any further cuts?
The Public Service has been through a process of
budget management which has been a significant
challenge for all employees. We need to be honest
about what constraints are upon the Budget but
also realistic about what we can achieve. The
conversation should not always be about asking
for more to be done with less resources. We
should have to prioritise and perhaps make hard
decisions about what is no longer a priority.
I don’t believe the Public Service can absorb
further cuts and be expected to deliver the same
level of service.
Politicians sometime refer to ‘frontline services’.
Do you agree that frontline services are
diminished if the services that support them in
undertaking their roles are cut?
Yes – those working at the frontline need the
support of their colleagues in other roles at the
centre of the organisation. A range of roles are
essential for organisations to work effectively and
efficiently. Different expertise is required.
Do you believe that outsourcing public sector
services is an option Governments should
consider as a mechanism to address budget
shortages?
The focus should be on a well-resourced public
sector making the most of the expertise it has
within its ranks. Often out-sourcing is a false
economy that depletes the service of skilled
employees over the long term for a short term
gain.
Do you agree with indexation of grants for the
not-for-profit sector that takes account of the
real costs of services provided to Tasmania’s most
vulnerable people?
Not for profits need to be resourced by
Government to support disadvantaged people
within our community. There needs to be a close
working relationship with not for profit
organisations to deliver much needed services.
Industrial Relations
Tasmanian Industrial Relations
Do you support maintaining a Tasmanian
Industrial Relations system that covers crown
employees and non-constitutional corporations?
Yes I support the maintaining the Industrial
Relations Act. It is important that Tasmania
maintains a system that deals with matters that
relate to State employees etc. The working
conditions and`benefits applicable to those that
work for the Government should be deal with by
the relevant parties especially due to the state
specific nature of the employment.
Do you foresee it necessary to make any changes
to the current Tasmanian Industrial Relations
Act? If so what changes do you foresee?
The WH&S Act places an obligation on a person
conducting a business or undertaking to ensure
the health and safety of workers while at work.
There are many aspects that make up that
obligation such as safety of plant and equipment,
substances that are used, and the structures in
which they work. Even the means of entry and exit
from a workplace are matters that must be
without risk to health and safety.
Division 6 of the WH&S Act provides for the rights
of a worker to cease work is an unsafe situation
should arise but it is all incumbent on the worker
to notify those in charge or responsible. The
workers are also top remain available to conduct
alternative work if required. Section 88 also
enables continuity of engagement if all work must
cease and cannot comply with a direction to carry
out suitable alternative work.
avoid placing themselves in an unsafe workplace
environment?
The WH&S Act places an obligation on a person
conducting a business or undertaking to ensure
the health and safety of workers while at work.
There are many aspects that make up that
obligation such as safety of plant and equipment,
substances that are used, and the structures in
which they work. Even the means of entry and exit
from a workplace are matters that must be
without risk to health and safety.
Division 6 of the WH&S Act provides for the rights
of a worker to cease work is an unsafe situation
should arise but it is all incumbent on the worker
to notify those in charge or responsible. The
workers are also top remain available to conduct
alternative work if required. Section 88 also
enables continuity of engagement if all work must
cease and cannot comply with a direction to carry
out suitable alternative work.
Step down for workers compensation
Do you support the removal of the step down
provisions in workers compensation that see
workers have their income reduced because of
the time it has taken them to recover from a
legitimate workplace injury?
Step down provisions under the Workers
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act are a difficult
issue to grapple with. A very high percentage of
workers compensation claims are finalised before
step down provisions apply. The step-down
provisions also act as an incentive for return to
work for the injured worker as well as encouraging
an employer. However, in circumstances where
they do apply, amendments made in 2009
provided continuation of payments beyond 9 years
to 12 years where the level of impairment was
greater than certain percentages of impairment.
The amendments also reduced the level of step
down. Eg Instead of 80% it became 85%.
Further amendments also took into account where
a person was on a return to work plan and fell
inside the step-down that it would not apply in its
entirety.
Standing down workers
Workers Compensation
Can you foresee any circumstances where it
would be acceptable for an employer to stand
down workers without pay for taking action to
Do you support amending the current Workers
Compensation Legislation to ensure that workers
aged over 65 years of age have automatic access
to Workers’ Compensation payments?
Section 87 of the WR&C Act enables a person over
65 years of age and still in the work force to be to
apply to the Tribunal to seek the continuation of
weekly payments if they should be injured at work.
With new employment arrangements being that
people choose to work beyond that age the WR&C
Act should reflect contemporary work practices.
Bullying
Do you agree that bullying behaviour is far too
prevalent in many Tasmanian workplaces?
From research undertaken it would suggest that
bullying is a genuine problem in some workplaces.
What approach would you adopt to eliminating
bullying behaviour?
I understand that this is something that the
Minister for Workplace Relations has requested
the WorkCover Board of Tasmania to review in
addition to other matters currently under
consideration.
Any form of bullying is unacceptable and must be
tackled by Unions and Government working
together. There needs to be a whole of workplace
approach to ensure a safe and supportive
workplace culture. Significant investment in
education programs is critical.
Portable Long Service Leave
Consultation
Do you support the introduction of industry
specific Portable Long Service Leave Funds, along
the lines of that which exists in the ACT for the
Community Sector?
I believe that with increased mobility of
employment in particular industries or industry
groups, consideration should be given to the
introduction of Portable Long Service Leave Funds.
Such methods have been in place in the
construction industry for many
Do you agree that employers should consult with
their staff and their union about changes to work
arrangements or practices and consider any
feedback or alternatives before making a final
decision?
Yes
Workplaces
Unions
Union membership
Are you presently a member of a union?
Yes. AWU
WHS
Do you agree that it is the primary responsibility
of all employers to provide their staff with safe
and healthy workplaces?
Yes. There is nothing more important than
ensuring workers are in a safe environment and
corners are not cut putting their health and
wellbeing at risk.
Do you support the WHS legislation that was
introduced in Tasmania on 1 January 2013?
Have you ever been actively involved in a union
as a delegate, official or employee?
No.
Role of unions
What role do you think unions play in Australian
society?
Yes. I understand there have been concerns with
the implementation timeframe but I believe with
continued education employers will understand
their obligations.
Unions play an essential role in Australian society,
now more than ever, with the Abbott Government
threatening the rights of workers and unions.
Unions ensure workers have a collective voice and
can have their interests represented and
defended.
Would you support legislation that established
industrial manslaughter as a criminal offence?
Would Australia be a better or a worse place to
live if unions did not exist?
There needs to appropriate penalties for offences
and breaches of O H and S requirements.
Australia would be much worse. Australian
workers have the rights they do today, thanks to
the Union movement and their work today is just
as important as in the past.
Right of entry
Do you agree that union staff should have access
to workplaces to meet with members and
potential members; and to represent them?
Yes
What limits on right of entry do you feel are
reasonable?
Why should Tasmanian workers vote for you?
In my short time in Parliament I have worked hard
to stand up for Labor values and I will continue to
do so if I am re-elected. As a Member of
Parliament I always aim to say what I believe in
and stand up for all Tasmanians.