2N
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 5 DECEMBER 1989
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE MINISTER
ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER ON PUBLIC SERVICE MATTERS,
THE HON PETER MORRIS
The Federal Government is committed to breaking down all
remaining barriers to Equal Employment Opportunity.
All Australians have the right to achieve their full
employment potential and, while progress has already been
made towards this goal in the Australian Public Service,
we must move forward with vigour.
To ensure continued progress, we are pleased to announce
a four-part strategy to accelerate the implementation of
Equal Employment Opportunity policies and practice in the
Public Service into the 1990s.
The strategy comprises
S greater accountability to Ministers for EEO action
and achievements through regular quarterly reporting
by heads of agencies;
S increased management awareness of EEO, through
senior executive and middle management training and
other initiatives;
S a focus on EEO efforts in the regions, that is, in
capital cities, regional centres and remote areas;
and
S the development of a strategic plan for EEO
achievement in the Australian Public Service for the
1990' s.
People should have real employment choices limited only
by their imaginations and capacities, rather than by
artificial, attitudinal barriers.
To achieve this, the Government wants to see improved
implementation of EEO in the Australian Public Service,
and we intend that the impetus for reform should extend
well into the next decade.
Ignoring the talents and potential of staff because of
biases against certain groups is simply bad management.
Greater equity in staffing also means greater efficiency.
The Public Service must always make the best use of the
skills and potential of all available and potential
employees. EEO ensures that the policy of merit
selection for recruitment and promotion is given full
effect and that the entire pool of talent in the
community is tapped.
Quarterly reporting will mean Ministers and managers have
greater awareness of progress on EEO. Managers will also
be encouraged to show leadership in developing EEO
initiatives. The focus on regional efforts will ensure Service-wide
benefits from this strategy. 72% of all federal public
servants are employed in these areas. The profile of EEO
in the regions will be raised through training of
managers and better co-operative management efforts.
These initiatives will be complemented by the development
of a longer term strategy which will ensure that the way
is clear for continued and improved EEO achievement over
the next decade.
The strategy will involve widespread consultation within
the Service, with unions and managers, and with the wider
community to establish the best ways to break down
remaining barriers to the successful implementation of
EEO throughout the Service.