The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has invited its members to share their experiences with the Australian Public Service’s (APS) Information and Communication Technology (ICT), for presentation to a Senate Inquiry.
The Union said the Senate’s Finance and Public Administration References Committee is to inquire into the current capability of the APS with a focus on the Current ICT capability, the staffing cap and the APS reliance on labour hire contracts.
“Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is at the centre of our working day,” the Union said, “from logging on when we start work, file management, case management, interacting between teams, collaboration between Departments, how the public engages with public services, and more.’
“When it comes to ICT, we believe that what’s good for APS workers is what’s good for the whole community,” it said.
The CPSU said quality ICT jobs, systems and capability supported the work public servants did and the services they provided.
“This Inquiry is our chance to tell the Senate what’s gone wrong, what’s been done well, and what we can do to improve things,” it said.
“Strong recommendations from the inquiry can be used to pressure Department heads and Ministers to invest in public service staffing levels and resources to ensure APS capability is up to scratch.”
The Union said it wanted to hear from all APS staff, labour hire and contract hire staff and encouraged public servants to share the CPSU survey with their colleagues.
The Senate inquiry is to report on 31 October this year and its closing date for submissions is Friday, 26 February.
The CPSU survey can be accessed at this PS News link.
