At the past two ACT Labor conferences in 2023 and 2024, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) members raised concerns about processes used to appoint senior executives within the ACT Public Service.
Motions were passed at both conferences urging the ACT Labor Government to require that all executive appointments, including statutory positions and re-engagements, be conducted through a process similar to Joint Selection Committees (JSC), with relevant trade unions providing staff representatives for all executive roles.
Over the past decade, reviews into the culture of several ACT Public Service (ACTPS) agencies, including ACT Health, ACT Corrective Services, and recently, the ACT Emergency Services Agency, have highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Implementing a JSC process for senior roles across the ACT Public Service is a significant step toward addressing these concerns.
We have seen the positive impact of this approach in the ACTPS, particularly with the appointment of the Chief Allied Health Officer, where the inclusion of staff representatives resulted in outstanding outcomes for both staff and the organisation.
Dedicating one out of three positions on the selection panel to a staff representative can be instrumental in ensuring the integrity of the process.