Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

As I have indicated, the government appreciates that the opposition have taken a constructive approach in relation to this bill, recognising that it makes sense to put the administration staff into the same structure as the trustee rather than have an artificial single client service arrangement. The main substantive issue that the opposition have raised is the question of APS mobility. The opposition amendment to this bill will provide transferring ComSuper staff with mobility rights broadly equivalent to those they would have had if they remain in the APS for a three-year period. I might just pause here to advise the chamber that this is a very unusual circumstance, and, arguably, it is quite a unique circumstance as result of a merger between government entities with APS staff moving to a non-APS agency. As such, the government has been quite comfortable in working with the opposition in relation to this particular matter. It does not, in our view, set a precedent for what may or may not happen down the track in relation to other mergers between APS agencies in particular.

It should also be noted that the current arrangements restricting non-APS employees from applying for most APS jobs were also only temporary. As of 1 July 2015, new arrangements, as indicated in the budget, will afford agency heads the flexibility to manage recruitment, including by considering candidates not already employed within the Australian Public Service, without the need for external approval. As a result, ComSuper staff that are transferred to CSC employment at the commencement of the merger will, regardless of the opposition amendment, have opportunities to seek to return to APS employment if they wish to do so. If mobility arrangements are agreed by the Senate, as proposed in this amendment initiated and moved by the opposition, it is proper that they should be subject to a specified time frame. This amendment proposes a period of three years from commencement. While the government would ideally have preferred a shorter defined period as more appropriate, we do appreciate that these amendments still have temporary effect only and cease to apply after three years.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that opposition amendment (1) on sheet 7713 be agreed to.

Question agreed to.

I might just advise the chamber that, given that this amendment has just passed the Senate, it is the government's intention to support the passage of this bill as amended in the House of Representatives.

The CHAIRMAN: The question is that the bill, as amended, be agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Bill reported with an amendment; report adopted.