Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

PARLIAMENTARY SERVICE ACT 1999 - SECT 10A

Parliamentary Service Employment Principles

  (1)   The Parliamentary Service is a career - based service that:

  (a)   makes fair employment decisions with a fair system of review; and

  (b)   recognises that the usual basis for engagement is as an ongoing Parliamentary Service employee; and

  (c)   makes decisions relating to engagement and promotion that are based on merit; and

  (d)   requires effective performance from each employee; and

  (e)   provides flexible, safe and rewarding workplaces where communication, consultation, cooperation and input from employees on matters that affect their workplaces are valued; and

  (f)   provides workplaces that are free from discrimination, patronage and favouritism; and

  (g)   recognises the diversity of the Australian community and fosters diversity in the workplace.

Decisions based on merit

  (2)   For the purposes of paragraph   ( 1)(c), a decision relating to engagement or promotion is based on merit if:

  (a)   all eligible members of the community were given a reasonable opportunity to apply to perform the relevant duties; and

  (b)   an assessment is made of the relative suitability of the candidates to perform the relevant duties, using a competitive selection process; and

  (c)   the assessment is based on the relationship between the candidates' work - related qualities and the work - related qualities genuinely required to perform the relevant duties; and

  (d)   the assessment focuses on the relative capacity of the candidates to achieve outcomes related to the relevant duties; and

  (e)   the assessment is the primary consideration in making the decision.

Note:   Determinations made by the Presiding Officers may determine the scope or application of the Parliamentary Service Employment Principles (see subsections   11C(2) to (4)).