Page 656 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 24 February 2010
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includes analysing the results of the data analysis, attempting to assess whether gender-based discrepancies that are found are justifiable or explainable, and identifying areas for further investigation. The audit will also help the government to develop recommendations for corrective action and targeted pay equity strategies.
Other jurisdictions have engaged in the pay equity audit process. The pay equity team in the Western Australian Department of Commerce, the labour relations division, has developed an audit tool that is available on its website. The Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development has also conducted an audit in conjunction with the National Australia Bank and the Finance Sector Union. That report is also available on the web.
Additionally, the federal government, through the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency, provides a web-based audit tool with clear instructions for the user. The tool steps the user through the procedure, even showing sample payroll data and how it should be applied, combined with an example of an audit report. The tool also sets out suggestions for the development of strategies to correct pay inequity.
A pay equity audit is essential if we are to seriously address pay inequity within the ACT public service and set an example to private employers. Gender-related employment data for the ACT public service is currently published by the Commissioner for Public Administration. However, this data set is quite simplistic and does not provide the extra level of data analysis needed to address continuing inequity. For example, on page 11 of the commissioner’s report it is stated that at June 2009 the total average remuneration for male statutory office holders was $188,697 and for female statutory office holders it was $174,410.
Without a detailed audit of all levels of public service remuneration, government cannot truly understand where the root of this problem lies. Is it that females might appear to be represented at all levels, however they are on a lower band, or is it for some other reason? We need to be able to understand what it is. The Greens believe that government should lead by example and that is why this should be carried out.
The other component of the motion refers to the community services sector where 80Â per cent of the workforce comprises women workers. They have long suffered under poor pay. We know of the historic decision by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission which ruled last year that the work of social and community services has been undervalued. They have actually addressed this with significant wages increases.
The decision has implications for the community sector across the country. Following this, the Australian Services Union made a groundbreaking agreement with the federal government for a national equal wage case for all Australian workers under the SACS award. This case will be taken up quite shortly. The Australian government will participate. They will support legal principles in the case to be argued; they will assist in presenting evidence about the workforce issues. The hearings for the equal pay case will be heard by Fair Work Australia. Once Fair Work Australia has made a decision, that order will override all awards and agreements. This motion simply asks the ACT government to acknowledge that it will be required to support and abide by the decision of Fair Work Australia.
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