Public Sector Entitlements

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector on the topic of public sector entitlements.

Leave granted.

Yesterday in this place, in answer to questions about the MFS travel allowances, the minister informed this council that he had:

…requested that the decision of the SAET be drawn to leaders in public sector agencies, and that they are reminded of the importance of complying with their legal obligations in relation to all workers' entitlements.

My question to the minister is: has this been actioned?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, Special Minister of State) (14:44): I thank the honourable member for her question. As I set out earlier this week, I have discussed this matter with the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment and also the declared employer for the SA public sector, who have said they will be drawing it to the attention of public sector chief executives.

I am advised that correspondence has gone out that draws the attention of all other chief executives to the recent SAET decisions in the matter of the United Firefighters Union of SA v the Chief Executive. The correspondence draws attention to the obligation for leaders in the public sector to do everything they can to make sure entitlements and wages are paid in full and on time. I am advised that the correspondence has also drawn attention not just to the need to do that but also the need to do that in a timely manner.