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Media release - Creating a better work environment for APS employees with a disability

The Commissioner

Lynelle Briggs
Lynelle Briggs is the Public Service Commissioner. She has held this position since November 2004.

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Issued 30 August 2006

The Australian Government’s Management Advisory Committee (MAC) today released its latest report, Employment of People with a Disability in the APS.

The latest MAC report makes the point that providing a work environment which attracts and supports applicants with disability makes good business sense. MAC has agreed to a series of objectives for promoting the employment of people with disability in the APS. MAC has also identified a range of better practice strategies to help agencies meet those objectives.
The report’s objectives cover cultural change in the APS; access to APS employment; and support for employees with a disability and their managers.

The report responds to the Committee’s earlier report, Managing and Sustaining the APS Workforce, which found there has been a decline in the level of employment of people with disability in the APS.

Ms Lynelle Briggs, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, said ‘There’s an equity case here that needs to be addressed, but there is also a very strong business case for us to improve our performance in this area. As the population ages and the labour market continues to tighten, we can’t afford to be putting impediments to APS employment in the way of any section of the community, including people with disability.’

The report also responds to some of the organisational and structural factors, including a decline in the number of lower level positions that were once a pathway for people with disabilities into the APS, which may affect the employment of this group.
‘The APS has changed dramatically in the last two decades’ Ms Briggs said. ‘Some of the routine tasks we used to do in-house have been overtaken by technology or have been outsourced. Our work is more complex and our workforce is better educated. As we evolve, we have to ensure that our workplace cultures support diversity and our recruitment practices promote access by all Australians. Our intentions are clearly articulated in this latest MAC report, and with the support of all of our agencies, I’m confident that we’ll see improved outcomes for people with disability.’
The Australian Public Service Commission has received funding to develop a good practice guide for agencies, aimed at increasing the participation of people with disability in APS employment, including approaches to the recruitment and management of people with disability.
The Commission will monitor agencies’ performance in relation to the employment of people with disability and report on this through the annual State of the Service report.

The report is being launched nationally on Wednesday, 30 August, 2006 at the Hyatt Hotel, Canberra. Ms Lynelle Briggs and Mr Roger Beale will speak at the launch.

For more information contact Karin Fisher at the APS Commission on 02 6202 3524, email karin.fisher@apsc.gov.au .

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