The Public Sector Commission has tabled two reports in Parliament on its work over the year.
The Public Sector Commission Annual Report 2020-21 and the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment Annual Report 2020-21 summarise the key achievements, initiatives and activities over the financial year.
While the role of the Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment is independent of the Commission, the two bodies work closely to promote equal opportunity and prevent discrimination across the public sector.
Commissioner for the Public Sector, Sharyn O’Neill said a significant piece of work was the first public sector census, piloted in March with 17 Agencies.
“The pilot showed this ground-breaking work can provide insights into sector workforce trends at a level never before achieved,” Commissioner O’Neill said.
“Following the State Election in 2021, and with four Directors-General planning retirement, I sought to renew leadership across the public sector.”
The Commissioner said she had placed some Directors-General where their skills and experiences could be best used, and created opportunities to develop the next generation of leaders.
The Annual Report also features the story of young woman who began her professional journey through the public sector’s Aboriginal Traineeship Program.
After completing her traineeship and gaining a Certificate III in Government, Paige Corunna was offered a job in the Western Australian public sector.
“Paige’s career journey didn’t end there as she applied for a governance apprentice position for the Australian Government based in Canberra,” the Report says.
“Out of 4,000 applicants Paige, along with approximately 400 other candidates, was chosen and recently moved to the other side of the country to start her position.”
Acting Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, Lindsay Warner said a significant milestone for his Agency was the release of the Workforce Diversification and Inclusion Strategy for WA Public Sector Employment 2020-2025.
Mr Warner said the Strategy included six supporting action plans for identified diverse groups — women, youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, and people of diverse sexualities and genders.
“The Strategy establishes aspirational targets which reflect a long-term commitment to increase the representation of diverse groups in public sector employment,” Mr Warner said.
The Public Sector Commission’s 91-page Annual Report can be accessed at this PS News link and the 15-page Director of Equal Opportunity in Public Employment Annual Report at this link.
