New lobbying rules limit career opportunities for MOPS staff
16 June 2008, 11:18am
Locked up: Proposed code unfairly restricts career options for MOPS employees
CPSU has told a Senate inquiry that new rules for Commonwealth lobbying have been developed without adequate consultation and constrain employment opportunities for MOPS employees without agreement.
The Government's proposed Lobbying Code of Conduct seeks to apply post employment constraints on Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and ministerial advisors alike. Under the code, all face a 12 month ban on employment as private sector lobbyist in portfolio areas that they had just left.
In a submission to the Senate Finance and Administration Committee inquiry, CPSU argues the Government's decision to adopt the code without consultation had retrospectively altered MOPS employees working conditions "without individual agreement and in the absence of increased remuneration" by placing restrictions on post employment opportunities.
CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones said the union was supportive of clear rules for lobbying but argues that MOPS employees need their own code of conduct.
"By adopting the code without consulting or engaging MOPS employees, the Government has unfairly altered the role and responsibilities of Ministerial Advisors retrospectively," he said.
"CPSU believes that the development of a separate code for MOPS staff that provides clear guidelines, training and takes into account the potential impact on employment arrangements is a better way to go."
"CPSU members are concerned that their employment opportunities post-separation have been curtailed without their prior knowledge or agreement."
Recent media: Read an article from the Sydney Morning Herald here.
CPSU submission: Download CPSU's submission to the Senate inquiry here.
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